Enter the dragon

Will China’s airliner ambitions pose a long term threat to western manufacturers?

With two active airliner projects underway, China is building on years of hard work to establish itself as a major aerospace manufacturing centre.

The country is no stranger to the industry, having produced various civil and military aircraft over the last 50 years. Most of those have been less than successful by any measure, while those which have found success have been born out of Antonov and Illyushin designs, rather than indigenous designs.