China’s home-grown C919 jet nears certification as test planes complete tasks

The fifth prototype of China’s home-built C919 passenger aircraft takes off for its first check flight from Shanghai Pudong Worldwide Airport in Shanghai, China October 24, 2019. Image taken October 24, 2019. REUTERS/Stringer

SHANGHAI, July 23 (Reuters) – China’s homegrown C919 narrow-body jet, designed to problem the Airbus-Boeing (AIR.PA)(BA.N) duopoly, is nearing certification as its check planes accomplished the entire check flight duties, the corporate stated on Saturday.

The state-owned producer Business Plane Corp of China (COMAC) stated on its official social media account that the six check planes have completed the testing duties because the programme enters the ultimate stage of receiving a certificates from the Civil Aviation Administration of China which is required for industrial operations.

That will mark a milestone in China’s ambitions to climb up the manufacturing provide chain.

Designed to compete immediately with the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus 320neo households, the C919 plane programme has confronted a variety of technical points and more durable U.S. export controls, after being launched in 2008, Reuters has reported. learn extra

The launch buyer is the state-owned China Jap Airways (600115.SS), which has positioned an order for 5 C919 jets in March final yr. Changjiang Each day, a newspaper owned by the native authorities of Wuhan, stated in a report on July 8 the airline is scheduled to take the primary supply in August.

Assembled in China, the aircraft depends closely on Western parts, together with engines and avionics.

(This story corrects to take away incorrect reference in paragraph 3 to Boeing taking on Embraer)

Reporting by Winni Zhou, Stella Qiu and Brenda Goh, Modifying by Louise Heavens and William Mallard

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