The first C919, China’s first domestically developed narrow-body passenger jet, was delivered to China Eastern Airlines in Shanghai and is expected to be put into commercial operation next spring, a significant milestone in the development of China’s aviation manufacturing industry. C919’s manufacturer, Commercial Aircraft Corp of China (COMAC), delivered the aircraft sales certificate and the commemorative key to China Eastern at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, while the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) issued the airworthiness certificate to the carrier. The first C919 has 164 seats, including eight seats in business class and 156 seats in economy class. After the delivery, it took off from Pudong airport and landed at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport amid the traditional welcome of a water salute.
Based on the initial approval of the CAAC, China Eastern also needs to carry out more than 100 hours of test flights to verify and confirm the operational safety, maintenance reliability and various operational capabilities of the aircraft, as the C919 is the first such model globally. China Eastern plans to put the C919 into commercial service on routes to Shanghai; Beijing; Xian; Kunming, and Guangzhou, Guangdong province. A total of 24 pilots will serve as the first group to operate the C919, the carrier said. Comparable to the Airbus A320 and the Boeing B737 series, the C919 is expected to break the duopoly of Boeing and Airbus.
So far, COMAC has received 1,115 orders for the C919 from home and abroad. Zhang Chi, Deputy General Manager of the Cabin Department of China Eastern, who took the very first flight, said the comfort and stability of the aircraft are excellent. Compared with other planes he has flown in, the C919 is above standard and there was little noise during the flight, the China Daily reports.
