The United States Government is considering blocking the export of CFM International LEAP-1C engines to China, which would effectively halt the AC!C19 programme, Reuters and The Wall Street Journal have reported citing sources familiar with developments.
CFM International is a joint venture between US-based General Electric and France's Safran. It is the exclusive powerplant provider for the Chinese narrowbody jet for the time being. COMAC has plans to develop an indigenous engine for the type, the AECC CJ-1000A, although the current stage of works has not been confirmed. The first batch of C919s scheduled to enter into service in 2021-22 will only be available with LEAP-1C engines.
Potential export restrictions could also be imposed on other US-made equipment for the C919, such as Honeywell Aerospace avionics.
The US administration is also considering blocking US suppliers from participating in the proposed C929 widebody programme. The White House is reported to be primarily motivated by fears that Chinese aerospace firms will reverse engineer components supplied by the US and will eventually start manufacturing them themselves.
Export of aerospace components from the US is subject to licences granted by the US Department of Commerce. General Electric was issued its current licence for LEAP-1C export to China in March 2019.
Final decisions regarding the potential withdrawal of licences are expected by the end of this month.
According to the ch-aviation fleets module, there are currently six C919s undergoing flight testing, all equipped with LEAP-1C28 engines.
CFM International also manufacturers LEAP-1 engines for the A320neo and B737 MAX families.
