The major European low cost airline Ryanair signed at Paris Air Show Tuesday a memorandum of understanding with the Chinese aerospace group Comac on the development of future short-medium haul aircraft.
While analysts see this agreement a new way for the Irish company to put pressure on the two current market leaders, Boeing and Airbus, such a partnership can also prefigure the termination of new entrants along with the American and European giants.
The company, whose fleet is currently composed exclusively of Boeing, announced in May have met with officials of Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China and Russia’s United Aircraft Group.
Discussions with the U.S. manufacturer of an order of about 200 aircraft had overturned in 2009, Ryanair had not completely closed the door to an agreement when Boeing was struggling financially.
The agreement reached Tuesday with Comac consulation provides a mutual program of C919, a device still in draft form but China plans to deliver the first model in 2016.
The Chinese group, has signed two agreements Monday at Le Bourget, with Safran for wiring and C919 with CFM International for the operation of the aircraft.