China officially sent its first self-produced aircraft to the airline
China officially sent its first self-produced aircraft to the airline. This aircraft is expected to compete with foreign production models, such as the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320.
As reported by AFP, the C919 type aircraft was officially handed over to China Eastern Airlines, the second largest airline in China.
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During the ceremony at the Shanghai airport, the China Commercial Aircraft Company (COMAC) handed over the keys to the world's C919 to the airline.
An aviation industry source told Reuters the plane handed over to China Eastern had 164 seats.
There are also words "world's first C919" in English and Chinese on each side.
According to the source, the C919 aircraft will be used for the first time on the route between Shanghai and Beijing.
China Eastern actually ordered five C919 aircraft in this inaugural deal. They will receive the remaining four aircraft over the next two years.
The delivery of this first aircraft is considered a "significant milestone" in the course of Beijing's aircraft industry.
At last month's aviation show, COMAC stated that in total they had received 300 orders for the C919.
However, at that time COMAC did not explain in detail about the value of the agreement or the delivery date of the aircraft.
COMAC said only that the number of orders would increase to 1,100 if the initial deal was successful.
C919 is the first passenger aircraft that has a streamlined body and can carry 164 passengers.
This Chinese-produced aircraft is said to be a rival to the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320.
Since 2019, China has grounded the Boeing 737 MAX after it suffered a number of fatal accidents.
But in July, Boeing said deliveries of its planes would likely begin with China's approval this year.
Even so, the protracted tensions in trade relations between China and the US triggered a delay in the agreement on the delivery of Boeing 737 to Boeing 800.
