Boeing in research tie-up with China's Comac Boeing is to collaborate with China's Comac, a fledging rival to the US manufacturer in the commercial aerospace market, in an effort to curb the aviation industry's contribution to climate change. It is the first partnership between Boeing and Comac, which is developing a single-aisle passenger aircraft that could help break the longstanding duopoly in the narrow-body market enjoyed by the US manufacturer and Airbus, its European competitor. Analysts said the partnership was part of broader efforts by Boeing to cement its leading sales position in the lucrative Chinese market. China is expected to vie with the US to become the biggest commercial aircraft market by sales over the next two decades. Comac and Boeing are to create and jointly fund an aviation energy conservation centre in Beijing that will collaborate with universities on research into several areas including biofuels for aircraft. Aviation is responsible for 2-3 per cent of global carbon emissions, but that is likely to increase because of rising demand for air travel, particularly in Asia. Jim Albaugh, head of Boeing's commercial aircraft division, said: "Through this collaborative agreement, Boeing and Comac will build our relationship and will further sustainable growth and fuel efficiency for China's fast-growing aviation market. Our new technology centre shows that two companies in a competitive industry can partner to make progress on important challenges that cannot be solved by one company alone. Boeing estimates that China's fleet of commercial aircraft will more than triple over the next 20 years, from 1,750 in 2010 to 5,930 by 2030. Commercial aircraft sales over the two decades could be worth $600bn and under the Chinese government's latest five-year plan, the number of airports should increase from 175 to at least 230. Beijing wants Comac to become a global aerospace champion, and although the state-owned company has yet to deliver a single aircraft, it is trying to secure one-third of the domestic market over the next two decades. It is developing the C919 narrow-body aircraft as an alternative to the Airbus A320 and the Boeing 737, together with a regional jet called the ARJ21. Paul Sheridan, head of consultancy in Asia for Ascend, an advisory firm, said: "This collaboration between Boeing and Comac can be seen as part of broader efforts by Boeing to cement its sales position in the vital Chinese market."