China’s fast-rising aerospace player, Comac, is celebrating a milestone that signals its growing ambitions in the global skies: the quieter, short-haul C909 regional jet is now expanding beyond China’s borders — marking another step in the country’s quest for aviation self-reliance and export credibility. While the spotlight often falls on Comac’s larger C919 — built to rival the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 — the C909 has become an unsung workhorse in the push to build a globally competitive domestic fleet. With capacity for 78 to 90 passengers, it’s tailored for busy short-haul routes, putting it in direct competition with Embraer’s E-Jet