CFM International
––COMAC
Route: Cincinnati, Ohio -> Shanghai, Shanghai
Analysis
Since 2009, COMAC and CFM International, a 50/50 joint venture between U.S.-based GE Aerospace and France-based Safran, have maintained a long-term commercial aviation partnership centered on propulsion systems for China's domestically developed airliners, with CFM selected to supply the LEAP-1C as the exclusive Western engine for the C919 narrow-body aircraft. Separately, GE Aerospace has provided CF34 engines for the ARJ21 regional jet. The collaboration has involved engine integration, certification support, testing, production, maintenance infrastructure, and long-term aftermarket services, linking Chinese commercial aircraft development to Western propulsion technology. Collectively, these programs have involved thousands of engine orders and commitments, tens of billions of dollars in propulsion-system value, and a growing fleet of Chinese-produced commercial aircraft, making them among the most significant industrial relationships between U.S. and Chinese participants in the civil aviation sector.
US Partner's Profile
CFM International
CFM International is a leading aircraft engine manufacturer and a 50/50 joint venture between GE Aerospace of the United States and Safran Aircraft Engines of France. Founded in 1974, the company designs, develops, and produces commercial jet engines for narrow-body airliners, most notably the CFM56 and LEAP engine families. CFM engines power thousands of aircraft worldwide, including the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 families, and are recognized for their reliability, fuel efficiency, and extensive global support network. Through decades of collaboration between its parent companies, CFM has become one of the most successful and influential aerospace partnerships in the history of commercial aviation.
Chinese Partner's Profile
COMAC
COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd.) is a Chinese state-owned aerospace manufacturer established in 2008 to develop and produce commercial passenger aircraft. Headquartered in Shanghai, COMAC is responsible for the design, manufacturing, testing, and marketing of China's domestically developed airliners, including the ARJ21 regional jet and the C919 narrow-body aircraft. The company was created as part of China's long-term effort to build an independent commercial aviation industry and compete with established global aircraft manufacturers. Through partnerships with domestic and international suppliers, COMAC aims to expand China's presence in the global aerospace market while advancing the country's capabilities in aircraft design, production, and certification.
A comprehensive directory of detailed profiles for all partner entities within the Meridian dataset is currently in development and will be released in a future update.