COMAC to complete C919 design by year-end; maiden service expected in 2014; to enter service in 2016

China Commercial Aircraft Co Ltd (COMAC) Deputy General Manager, Wu Guanghui, stated the design of the C919 would be completed by the end of 2010, with the 150-seat aircraft, designed predominantly for domestic routes, expected to conduct its maiden flight in 2014 and enter service in 2016 (Xinhuanet/Global Times/People's Daily Online, 12-Mar-2010). Within the next 20 years, COMAC expects to sell 2,000 C919s, with Mr Wu adding that domestic airlines are supportive of the aircraft. China is also negotiating with international airlines on their requirements for such an aircraft. The company also plans to launch a specially designed large aircraft based on the C919 to adapt to high altitude airports. The aircraft would be designed to operate direct services to Tibet from inland cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

COMAC: "The goal of our designs is to give our aircraft a higher cost performance than foreign rivals …I believe we can sell more than 2,000 aircraft… We may take control of over half of the domestic market, and part of the international market, so the total sales of the C919 aircraft could amount to 2,000 units over the next 20 years….in general, the 150-seat aircraft has a breakeven point of approximately 300 units," Wu Guanghui, Deputy General Manager. Source: People's Daily Online, 12-Mar-2010.