Air Cambodia has announced its potential to purchase up to 20 Chinese-made C909 regional jets, marking Cambodia’s entry into an expanding list of Southeast Asian customers of China’s state-owned aircraft manufacturer, Comac. The move underscores Comac’s efforts to expand its presence globally as it seeks to compete with established aircraft giants Airbus and Boeing.
Both Air Cambodia and Comac revealed on Tuesday that they have signed a memorandum of understanding in China for an initial order of 10 C909 aircraft, with the possibility of adding an extra 10 planes later.
While Comac is developing its own commercial aircraft to challenge Airbus and Boeing, it has yet to secure major deals outside China and countries with close ties to China in Southeast Asia. Its smaller, narrow-body C919, designed to compete with popular models like the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX, is currently operated only by Chinese airlines.
However, the company has already placed its older, smaller C909 regional jets with airlines in Indonesia, Vietnam, and Laos as part of its strategy to penetrate international markets. Orders for both aircraft models have also been secured with an airline in Brunei. Recently, Lao Airlines received its second C909 and began operating cross-border flights to Bangkok. Comac has also proposed taking a controlling stake in Laos’ financially struggling national carrier.
Cambodia, a close China ally, shows strong ties, with King Norodom Sihamoni attending China’s largest-ever military parade in Beijing last week.
In its statement, Comac said that the two parties will work together closely on aircraft delivery, operational support, and industry development. The C909, formerly known as the ARJ21, can carry up to 90 passengers and is China’s first jet-powered aircraft to reach commercial operation, having entered service in 2016.
Details regarding delivery timelines were not disclosed, and Air Cambodia did not immediately respond to a request for comment.