Look: Comac, Airbus and Boeing showcase jets at Singapore Airshow

The international debut of China's homegrown C919 jet and the cost of going green by 2050 dominated the opening day of the Singapore Airshow - Asia's most influential aerospace and defense exhibition.

FILE PHOTO: A Comac C919 plane is displayed at the Singapore Airshow at Changi Exhibition Centre in Singapore February 21, 2024. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo

Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China, or Comac, signed a 40-plane deal with Tibet Airlines and won an endorsement from Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Air as an emerging rival to Boeing Co. and Airbus SE. "I'm sure they will build a world-beating aircraft in the next 10 years," Riyadh Air's Chief Operating Officer Peter Bellew said at the airshow.

An Indonesian Air Force cadet watches the South Korea Air Force’s Black Eagles aerobatic team perform in their T-50Bs during an aerial display at the Singapore Airshow at Changi Exhibition Centre in Singapore February 22, 2024. REUTERS/Edgar Su

Across 16 country pavilions, of which China and South Korea (pictured: South Korea Air Force Black Eagles) are making an appearance for the first time, high-profile exhibitors include Airbus Honeywell International Inc., GE Aerospace Inc. and military heavyweights Lockheed Martin Corp. and Northrop Grumman Corp.

South Korea Air Force’s Black Eagles aerobatic team perform in their T-50Bs during an aerial display at the Singapore Airshow at Changi Exhibition Centre in Singapore February 22, 2024. REUTERS/Edgar Su

Republic of Singapore Air Force’s F-15SG performs during an aerial display at the Singapore Airshow at Changi Exhibition Centre in Singapore February 22, 2024. REUTERS/Edgar Su

Indonesian Air Force’s cadets watch an aerial display at the Singapore Airshow at Changi Exhibition Centre in Singapore February 22, 2024. REUTERS/Edgar Su

Pilatus PC-21 aircrafts from the Royal Australian Air Force aerobatic team, also known as the Roulettes, perform during a preview of the Singapore Airshow in Singapore on February 18, 2024.

Indian Air Force's Sarang Aerobatic Team performs in their HAL Dhruv helicopters during an aerial flying display ahead of the Singapore Airshow at Changi Exhibition Centre in Singapore, February 18, 2024.

In other deal news, Royal Brunei Airlines signed an agreement to purchase four Boeing 787 Dreamliner jets, and Thai Airways confirmed an order for 45 Boeing 787-9 jets. Singapore's plan to introduce a levy on air fares to pay for sustainable aviation fuel was also a hot topic of discussion.