Aviation
Commercial /
China
ready for service
Comac C919 receives its type certification during ceremony in Beijing
COMAC C919
Image: COMAC
Rafael Ramos
9/29/2022
COMAC's first narrowbody aircraft, the C919, today received its type certification from CAAC, China's civil aviation regulatory body. The certification took place today at a ceremony at Beijing International Airport.
The certification means the plane is ready to enter service, being seen as a competitor to the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320neo. However, the aircraft benefits from a newer design. The first plane should be delivered to OTT, a subsidiary of China Eastern Airlines, later this year.
The narrowbody represents China's attempt to break the Airbus-Boeing duopoly, as the country has in mind selling the plane to other countries in the world. Although most of the 800 orders for the plane came from local airlines, leasing companies also purchased the plane, which could be operated by any airline around the world.
The plane's certification was supposed to take place on September 19, but China's quarantine rules prevented it from happening on that date, delaying the plans a little.
The aircraft project has been in existence since 2008, with production of the first prototype taking place in 2011. The first flight took place in 2017, and China was aiming for a production of 150 aircraft per year by 2020. However, budgetary problems changed the plans.
One challenge for the plane is that its list price is $101 million, which is very close to the price of Boeing and Airbus alternatives.
COMAC C919
Image: COMAC
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Rafael Ramos
Aviation enthusiast from an early age, he had his first contacts with the area developing that good old habit of spending dozens of hours in front of the screens of Micrsoft Flight Simulator and other simulators. With a solid background in various technological areas, including engineering and chemistry, Rafael has rejoined aviation as editor and author of articles and materials on our portal, providing invaluable help to the dynamics and expansion of the website and the aeronautical community, bringing us the news and updates so indispensable for us to remain current in our area of operation.
   
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