COMAC plans C919 inaugural flight by year-end, early 2017
The Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China (COMAC) plans to launch the C919 inaugural flight by the end of this year or early 2017. The specific timetable for the inaugural flight will depend on subsequent flight tests. However, a company insider told ATW it will be difficult for COMAC to fulfill this plan.
COMAC rolled out the narrowbody, 158-seat C919 prototype in October 2015. The company is undergoing various tests in preparation for an inaugural flight, which will be followed by certification and delivery to Chengdu Airlines by 2020. The original schedule called for the aircraft to conduct its first flight in 2014.
The Chinese manufacturer has won 517 orders for the C919 from 21 Chinese carriers and aviation companies.
According to Airbus, the global airline industry will need 26,730 narrowbody, single-aisle aircraft over the next 20 years.
