The Chinese-made C919 aircraft completed its first flight outside mainland China on Tuesday, landing in Hong Kong, as its manufacturer prepares to compete with Airbus and Boeing.
The C919 and another Chinese-made aircraft, an ARJ21, will be on display at Hong Kong International Airport until Sunday. The C919 will fly low over picturesque Victoria Harbor on Saturday.
The C919’s manufacturer, the Commercial Aircraft Company of China (COMAC), developed many of the parts used in the model, but some of the key components are still supplied from the West, including the engine.
The narrow-body airliner was in development for 16 years and received certification in 2022. It has a maximum range of around 5,630 kilometers and is designed to carry between 158 and 168 passengers.
The C919 is intended to compete with the single-aisle Airbus A320 Neo and Boeing 737 MAX models.
The launch of the C919 reflects China’s ambition to strengthen its position in the commercial aviation market, with the Chinese government aiming to achieve a 10% domestic market share with this model by 2025.
COMAC has received more than 1,200 orders for the C919 and aims to reach an annual production capacity of 150 aircraft over the next five years, it previously announced.
Source: TSF
