Booming Orders for China’s First Passenger Aircraft

It is reported that more than 1000 orders have already been received for C919, the first Chinese-made large passenger airplane. The aircraft, after 15 years of planning, made its first maiden flight in May, and now deliveries are starting.

The ceremony of issuing and presenting the “three certificates” of the China Eastern Airlines B-919C aircraft took place recently at the Zhuqiao base of the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China Ltd. (COMAC). The delivery of a second C919 aircraft to China Eastern Airlines was announced at the occasion.

This is the first large passenger aircraft produced in China, which is an important historical step in the strategy of the Dragon that wants to reduce its technological dependence on the West. The goal, in the case of the C919, is to challenge directly Airbus and Boeing. Orders, as mentioned, are going very well.

In any case, it must be emphasized that this is not a completely “Made in China” aircraft, since the engines and other components are made in the West.