Chinese planes garner attention at UK air show

China has maintained a strong presence at the 2026 Farnborough International Airshow, or FIA, where attendees have shown great interest in the country's growing capabilities in the global aerospace industry.

The biennial air show in Hampshire, England, that began on Monday and ends on Friday is widely regarded as the world's second-largest event of its kind, after the International Paris Air Show.

This year's gathering has drawn more than 1,600 exhibitors, up 15 percent from 2024, across around 500,000 square meters of exhibition space, which is equivalent to 78 soccer pitches, according to the organizer.

The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, or COMAC, the manufacturer of China's homegrown jets, showcased models of three of its aircraft types: the C909 regional aircraft, the C919 narrowbody jet, and the C929 wide-body aircraft, which is still under development.

China's domestically developed jets are operating regularly at home but COMAC is actively seeking to expand its global footprint.

The C909 now serves 25 overseas routes connecting 28 cities in countries, including Indonesia, Laos, and Vietnam, carrying more than 1 million passengers outside China.

Days before the FIA began, Air China, China's flag carrier, announced the C919 would begin its regularly scheduled international service on Aug 12. The new route will connect Beijing with Ulan Bator, the capital of Mongolia, with one round trip daily.

Pierangelo Tumino, an Italian aerospace industry veteran, said China's homegrown jets could be a good fit for the European market and complement its aviation landscape, given China's manufacturing strength.

China's small and medium-sized enterprises also turned out in force at the air show.

International Aviation SME Solutions of China, or IASC, brought together more than 10 aerospace suppliers under a dedicated China Pavilion. Founded in Shanghai in 2018, the platform aims to connect Chinese aerospace SMEs with the international market and has become a fixture at major international air shows.

Van Gao, managing director and cofounder of the IASC, said a growing number of Chinese SMEs are carving out their own niches, ranging from advanced materials to forged and cast components, with some emerging as global leaders in their fields.

"Based on our on-the-ground experience at international air shows, I believe Western markets are receptive to Chinese SME suppliers, particularly as the aerospace industry faces gaps in its supply chain. So, we need to be more proactive in reaching out," he said.

Commercial aircraft deliveries continue to fall significantly short of airline demand, as the industry grapples with an uneven post-pandemic recovery in production capacity, persistent shortages of critical components, and broader geopolitical headwinds.

The latest commercial aircraft orders and deliveries data from ADS Group showed that the backlog reached a record 16,925 aircraft by the end of June 2026 — the highest level ever recorded by the United Kingdom trade association.

Overcoming bottlenecks

As resilience becomes a strategic watchword for aerospace, China could support the sector's efforts in overcoming some bottlenecks, said George Xu, CEO of Airbus China and executive vice-president of Airbus.

Xu pointed to China's skilled workforce, integrated supply chain, and well-developed logistics networks and infrastructure as key advantages.

Policy support in China is also fueling the industry's growth, he said.

Airbus has opened a second A320 family final assembly line in Tianjin, while homegrown manufacturers, such as COMAC and emerging sectors such as electric vertical takeoff and landing, or eVTOL, continue to gain momentum.

"As the global aviation industry now seeks greater resilience and scales up production, China's aerospace ecosystem is well positioned to seize the opportunity, with its strengths closely aligned with the needs of the global market," Xu said.

"Against this backdrop, Airbus is keen to deepen its cooperation with China and leverage the competitiveness of the country's industrial ecosystem to strengthen its global supply chain, and ultimately meet its delivery commitments to customers.

"Sound political relations between China and the European Union are, therefore, vital for us. Both Airbus and our partners hope for a favorable environment that supports our shared and pressing desire to deepen cooperation."