China’s state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) will make its Dubai Airshow 2025 debut, organizers confirmed at a press conference, marking the manufacturer’s first major exhibition in the Middle East as it seeks to broaden its international reach. Gulf News reported Tim Hawes, managing director of Informa Markets, saying COMAC will attend for the first time, will display aircraft and will take part in flying demonstrations.
Organisers and local aviation leaders framed the move as consequential: Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said China’s industrial gains in other sectors hint at the potential for aerospace to be a global statement for Chinese manufacturing. The appearance is timed for the Dubai Airshow on 17–21 November 2025, one of the world’s most commercially significant aerospace trade events.
What organisers confirmed and what to expect
- On the record: Informa’s Tim Hawes publicly confirmed COMAC’s participation; he said the manufacturer will “have four aircraft on display” and join flying demonstrations, though he did not specify exact model mix at the press conference.
- Early exhibitor details: Trade reporting and the Dubai Airshow programme indicate COMAC intends to showcase the C919 narrowbody and the C909 regional jet in the static display; the C919 is COMAC’s competitor to the Airbus A320neo/Boeing 737 family.
Market context: ambitions and constraints
COMAC’s presence in Dubai signals a clear push beyond China. The manufacturer’s strategy has two fronts: win international customers for the C919/C909 family and advance work on larger platforms (the conceptual C929 wide-body). But expansion faces headwinds:
- Production & delivery headwinds: COMAC reportedly cut its C919 2025 delivery target from around 75 down toward ~25 amid supply-chain and certification hurdles, according to Bloomberg and filings reviewed by Reuters. That tempering of targets highlights practical bottlenecks as COMAC scales for export markets.
- Regulatory barriers: The C919’s sales outside China hinge on foreign regulatory acceptance (EASA, FAA equivalents) and international supply-chain resilience. COMAC has been pursuing international certifications and routes into Southeast Asia and beyond, but full global acceptance remains a work in progress.
Why the Dubai Airshow matters for COMAC
- Buyer access: The Gulf carriers and regional airlines are major widebody operators and influential network planners; showing the C919/C909 in Dubai directly targets potential future buyers and lessors active across Africa, the Middle East and South Asia.
- Perception & diplomacy: Presence at Dubai, alongside Boeing, Airbus and Embraer, signals that COMAC seeks to be seen as a global OEM contender, a soft power move as much as a commercial one.
Quick timeline & recent milestones
- 2023-2024: COMAC scaled C919 production and secured multiple domestic airline orders; delivered first commercial examples to Chinese carriers.
- Sep 2025: Bloomberg and Reuters report COMAC has lowered 2025 delivery targets amid supply constraints and export issues.
- Nov 17-21, 2025: COMAC to make official Dubai Airshow display debut; expect static and flying displays and a push for regional sales.
What’s next? Industry outlook
- Exhibitor manifest: Watch Dubai Airshow exhibitor lists and COMAC’s official release for the full aircraft manifest and any commercial announcements (LOIs, MoUs or firm orders). Exhibitor manifests are normally finalised in the weeks prior to the show.
- Potential outcomes: COMAC could secure regional MoUs (airlines or leasing firms), sign maintenance or training partnerships, or use the flying display for publicity. But expect any firm large-scale sales to be conditional on certification progress and demonstrable operational support outside China.
This piece is based on Gulf News reporting by Dhanusha Gokulan and cross-checked with Dubai Airshow statements and international reporting from The National, Reuters and Bloomberg. For final exhibitor details and any purchase announcements, the Dubai Airshow exhibitor list and COMAC’s official press releases should be treated as authoritative.
Sourcing
- Gulf News, Dhanusha Gokulan, organizer confirmation, and local commentary.
- Dubai Airshow / Informa Markets program and press conference remarks (Tim Hawes).
- The National, independent confirmation that COMAC will display the C919 and C909.
- Bloomberg/Reuters, recent reporting on COMAC’s revised C919 delivery targets and supply-chain challenges.
