Aviation News – Europe’s aviation safety regulator has carried out test flights of Chinese-built COMAC passenger jets as part of their formal certification process, a move that could open the European market to China’s commercial aircraft industry. The trials matter because European approval is a critical bolt in gaining international airline confidence and broader market access.
The flights were conducted by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) as part of its ongoing technical evaluation of COMAC aircraft, including the narrowbody C919. COMAC, China’s state-owned aircraft manufacturer, is seeking validation beyond its domestic regulator to support overseas sales, with Europe viewed as one of the most demanding and influential certification environments.
During the test campaign, EASA pilots and engineers assessed handling qualities, flight performance, and system behavior, focusing on the nuts-and-bolts of safety, reliability, and compliance with European airworthiness standards. Such flights complement ground-based documentation reviews and simulator testing, forming a core element of the certification pathway.