The first made in China passenger jetliner, the C919, has completed its maiden flight at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, says official news agency Xinhua. The C919's developer, state-run Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), will seek certification from China's civil aviation authority and foreign regulators before starting mass production. It will position the aircraft to take on single-aisle rivals Airbus A320 and Boeing A320, saying it has 570 orders for the airliner from domestic and foreign clients. It was originally due to begin flying in 2014 and be delivered to buyers in 2016, but has been beset by delays blamed on manufacturing problems.
The first made in China passenger jetliner, the C919, has completed its maiden flight at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, says official news agency Xinhua. The C919's developer, state-run Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), will seek certification from China's civil aviation authority and foreign regulators before starting mass production. It will position the aircraft to take on single-aisle rivals Airbus A320 and Boeing 737, saying it has 570 orders for the airliner from domestic and foreign clients. It was originally due to begin flying in 2014 and be delivered to buyers in 2016, but has been beset by delays blamed on manufacturing problems.