By Stella Qiu and David Kirton

ZHUHAI, China (Reuters) – Commercial planemakers touted strong post-pandemic prospects for the Chinese aviation market as the country’s largest air show opened on Tuesday, with an increasing share of the spoils expected to go to domestic manufacturers.

Beijing is displaying its increasing aviation proficiency by holding the biennial Airshow China from September 28 through October 3. This will replace an earlier, one-year delay due to COVID-19.

China’s rapid recovery of domestic travel following the outbreak is making it a prime target for foreign airlines. But Beijing’s ambition to build its own aviation champions complicates this outlook.

Foreign planemakers may face difficulties in gaining sales in China’s largest market for new aircraft.

As Commercial Aircraft Corp of China (COMAC) ramps up production of the 90-seat ARJ21 regional jet, the regulator has not certified slightly larger offerings from Airbus SE (OTC:) and Brazil’s Embraer SA (NYSE:) that feature more advanced and fuel-efficient engines.

George Xu of Airbus China stated that there were ongoing talks between China and the company about certification. Support services are key in ensuring customers’ confidence as they place orders.

Embraer didn’t immediately respond to our request for comments about Chinese certification.

“We are confident that China’s aviation market will grow in size and importance.” Embraer’s strong, positive presence has been established on the Chinese aviation market. This will provide a solid foundation to our latest jet, the E2, said Arjan Meijer (Embraer Commercial Aviation CEO).

China’s Airbus A220 was first introduced to service in 2016, and Embraer E-Jet E2 families were added in 2018.

China however has policies to favor homegrown aircrafts like offering them preferred airport slots.

COMAC forecast Tuesday that Chinese airlines will need 953 regional planes of 90-seat capacity over the next twenty years. This is the same size as the ARJ21. This is in comparison to the 261 smaller planes, which have 120 seats and are the E2 model or the A220.

Yang Yang Yang, COMAC deputy marketing managers said that the market was large enough for all participants.

He said that the aviation market was as large as the Pacific Ocean and had its own competition territories.

COMAC hopes to obtain local certification for its 160-seat C919 this year, a challenger to the Airbus A320 (NYSE: Co 737) and Boeing (NYSE. Co 737), though production will slow down.

Airbus’ Xu stated that the C919’s entrance into the market reminded him of his need to listen to customers.

DEFENCE ON DISPLAY

China’s defence capabilities were also on display at Zhuhai.

After an opening ceremony, military personnel and officials attended the flying display.

The first-ever display of a Chinese J-20 fighter plane flying at the show was with engines made in China, according to state media.

China displayed a prototype for the CH-6 long-endurance drone that can be used to perform reconnaissance, strike operations, and surveillance at high altitudes.

Due to tight quarantine regulations, the show is mostly domestic. Local aerospace and defense firms have increased their presence. Because foreign companies are not allowed to send employees based here, their booths will be smaller than at the 2018 show.

Organisers have announced that the next Airshow China is scheduled for November 8, 2022. It will return to its pre-pandemic format.