On September 9, Cambodia Airways signed a memorandum of understanding with Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) to purchase 10 C909 regional jets, with an option for 10 more – marking another step in China’s aviation push in Southeast Asia.
Formerly known as the ARJ21 until its renaming in November 2024, the C909 is China’s first independently developed regional jet under international standards. Seating 78–97 passengers and designed for short-haul routes of 2,225–3,700 km, it is well-suited to Southeast Asia’s island geography. By comparison, COMAC’s larger C919 can carry up to 190 passengers on longer routes.
As of July 2025, COMAC has delivered 166 C909s, carrying over 24 million passengers on 700 routes. Airlines in Indonesia, Laos, and Vietnam operate seven of them on 15 routes linking 18 cities. Flexible financing and leasing terms give COMAC an edge over Boeing and Airbus among budget-conscious regional carriers.
Beyond passenger use, COMAC delivered its first C909 medical aircraft on the same day to China Feilong General Aviation. With a 10-ton payload and 3,700 km range, it can be configured for rescue missions, patient transport, and disaster relief – part of a broader effort to build a national and international air-medical network.
While the C919 still awaits FAA/EASA certification, the C909 is already gaining international traction. Backed by domestic demand, government support, and overseas uptake, COMAC is poised to expand its role in global aviation.
Source: Net Ease, September 10, 2025
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