China's C919, challenger to Boeing 737, aims for 2022 deliveries

Deliveries of China's homegrown C919 narrow-body passenger jet are expected this year after several delays, despite a tight schedule for regulatory certifications and uncertainties related to U.S. trade bans. He Dongfeng, chairman of C919 developer Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), laid out the 2022 delivery schedule for the plane Monday in an internal meeting, according to minutes published by the state-owned aircraft maker. The schedule is tight, and there are challenges from external uncertainties, according to He. The C919 is yet to be certified by Chinese aviation regulators, a precondition for its commercial launch. COMAC initially planned to deliver the C919 in 2017, but the schedule was repeatedly delayed because of technology and supply issues. Under development since 2008, the C919 targets the same market as the Airbus A320 and the Boeing 737, the two bestselling commercial aircraft. The plane is designed to seat 158 to 168 passengers. The C919 made its first test flight in May 2017 with six prototype airplanes operating in different regions across China. Regulatory reviews for its airworthiness certification started in December 2020. COMAC has received more than 800 provisional orders for the C919, mostly from domestic airlines or leasing firms. In March 2021, China Eastern Airlines signed a contract to buy five C919 jetliners in the first formal order placed by a global airline.<br/>