COMAC sells 100 C919s to Air China, China Southern, China Eastern, GE and CDB Leasing

Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China Ltd (COMAC) signed orders to sell 100 single-aisle C919 passenger aircraft to Air China, China Southern, China Eastern, GE Capital Aviation Services and CDB Leasing (AP/Reuters/Bloomberg, 16/17-Nov-2010). The order consisted of 50 orders and 50 options. No details were given on the prices paid for the aircraft and only GECAS has specified that it signed an LoI for five orders and five options. COMAC aims to complete the aircraft in two years with the first test flight planned for 2014 and a target delivery date of 2016. [more - Perspective]

Hainan Airlines stated it formally signed a firm order for 20 of the aircraft on 16-Nov-2010 while China Eastern Chairman Kong Dong stated the carrier will sign an order for 20 of the aircraft, including five firm orders (Sina/Carnoc.com, 16-Nov-2010). Air China and China Southern are also planning to place an order for 20 of the aircraft, respectively.

COMAC: "The confirmation from the original launch customers creates a market foundation for the C919 large passenger plane which is smoothly moving from the research and development stage into the build stage," Zhang Qingwei, Chairman. Source: AP, 16-Nov-2010.