China Aircraft Leasing Co. signed an LOI with COMAC to purchase 20 CFM Leap-X-powered C919 aircraft, according to a Chinese industry insider.

The source told ATW that Hong Kong-based CALC plans to lease the C919s mainly to Air China, China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines. CALC was launched in 2006 and has regional offices in Beijing, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Germany and Ireland.

The C919 will enter the final design definition phase this year. Detailed design will be completed by 2012 and first flight is slated for 2014. According to COMAC’s timeline, the aircraft should receive type certification by 2016, followed shortly thereafter by first delivery.

Wu Guanghui, the chief designer of the 150-170-seat aircraft, predicted earlier this year that total C919 sales will reach 2,000 over the next 20 years, accounting for more than 50% of narrowbody demand in China

Source: ATW