COMAC Rebrands ARJ21 as C909, Aims to Rival Western Planemakers

Chinese planemaker COMAC has rebranded its ARJ21 regional jet as the C909 to align with its other models and to position itself as a competitor to Western manufacturers. This rebranding was introduced at China's major air show, aiming to strengthen its market presence with enhanced aircraft features.

Chinese aircraft manufacturer COMAC has unveiled its rebranded regional jet, the C909, formerly known as the ARJ21. This strategic move aligns with the company's naming convention and positions it as a viable alternative to Western aerospace giants like Airbus and Boeing. The new design was made public at China's largest air show in Zhuhai, showcasing C909 on the aircraft's blue tail.

With reduced weight, lowered resistance and noise, and improved flying costs, the C909 now promises enhanced performance. COMAC's marketing effort includes the slogan 'Old friend, New look,' emphasizing the plane's evolution while maintaining its core essence, as it first entered commercial service in 2016.

The rebranding underscores Beijing's growing ambition to compete in the global aviation market. With 124 units already in operation and customer bases spanning several Chinese airlines and Indonesia's TransNusa, COMAC has delivered 150 jets to date. Upcoming orders include 40 ARJ21-700 jets for Urumqi Air, highlighting expanding interest and competitive pricing strategies.

(With inputs from agencies.)