Key Points
- Brazilian Total Linhas Aéreas is in talks to purchase up to four C919 planes from China’s COMAC, becoming the first non-Asian buyer.
- The deal is seen as an effort to bypass supply shortages from Airbus and Boeing.
- Skepticism surrounds the reliability and support for C919 jets, which lack certification outside China.
- Total Linhas Aéreas plans to use the planes for ACMI charter flights and train pilots and mechanics in China.
Brazilian airline Total Linhas Aéreas is negotiating with China’s state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) to become the first airline outside of Asia to purchase Chinese-made passenger jets. The airline is considering acquiring up to four C919 planes, which could strengthen Brazil-China relations in the aviation sector, particularly with Chinese President Xi Jinping set to visit Brazil in November.
Paulo Almada, Total Linhas Aéreas’s controlling partner, confirmed ongoing talks with COMAC, stating that he plans to visit the company in October to finalize discussions. However, he also noted that the airline has not yet presented a formal proposal to the Brazilian government. Brazil’s Ports and Airports Minister Silvio Costa Filho acknowledged the airline’s intentions but emphasized the lack of an official plan.
A potential deal would allow Total Linhas Aéreas to bypass supply chain constraints hampered traditional Western aircraft manufacturers such as Airbus and Boeing, who have struggled to meet global demand for new planes. Almada noted that Embraer, Brazil’s local manufacturer, could only offer passenger jets with fewer than 150 seats and wouldn’t have availability until 2026.
Despite these promises, the deal is being questioned. Carlos Ozores, an aviation partner at PA Consulting, pointed out that the C919 has an unproven track record and lacks a robust support network outside of China, making it a risky choice for a Brazilian airline.
Total Linhas Aéreas intends to use the C919 jets on ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) charter flights, where planes are leased to meet urgent or seasonal demand from other airlines. Pilots and mechanics would be trained in China under COMAC’s supervision. The C919, which seats up to 192 passengers, competes with the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 in the global market.
One major hurdle is the certification of the C919 outside China. While COMAC has increased production and marketing efforts, the C919 is currently only certified for use in China, and a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification is still pending. Total Linhas Aéreas plans to seek certification from Brazil’s civil aviation agency (ANAC), though no formal request has been made.
