Airline News
China's new jet delayed again
June 10th 2014
Commercial Aircraft Corp of China (Comac) announced last week that the maiden flight of its home-produced 169-seater C919 aircraft would be delayed until the end of 2015. Customer deliveries will not begin until 2018. Read More »
The plane designed to target the domestic Chinese market has thus far secured 400 firm orders from Mainland customers and was originally scheduled to make its maiden flight this year before being delivered to airlines in 2016.
Comac had difficulties in developing crucial components and systems needed for airworthy operations and eventually had to resort to signing significant supply deals with US firms General Electric and Honeywell.
Shanghai-based Comac is set to deliver its first commercial airliner, the 90-seat ARJ21, to buyers later this year.
Meanwhile, Asian rival aircraft maker Mitsubishi Aircraft has unveiled its first ground test aircraft for its MRJ regional jet programme which is to soon undergo the static strength tests that form a vital part in achieving type and airworthiness certifications.
The MRJ’s first flight test aircraft is also taking shape in Mitsubishi’s Heavy Industries’ Komaki South plant near Nagoya’s Chubu Centrair International Airport. The aircraft will feature Pratt & Whitney PW1200G geared turbofan engines. The maiden flight is scheduled to take place in the second quarter of 2015.
