In an attempt to topple the prevalent duopoly by aircraft makers Boeing and Airbus in the country aircraft industry, China's homegrown Commercial Aircraft Corp of China (Comac) has unveiled the C919, a single-aisle jet with a capacity of 168 seats and a range of 3,444 miles. The aircraft's unveiling ceremony was attended by about 4,000 government officials and other guests at a hangar near Shanghai's Pudong International Airport, according to Fox News.
China's civil aviation chief Li Jiaxiang believes that the creation of the C919 is of great cultural significance. "A great nation must have its own large commercial aircraft. China's air transport industry cannot completely rely on imports," he said.
Though the aircraft's first test flight is not set until next year, Comac has stated that the company has already received orders for 517 aircraft from 21 customers. Most of the companies are Chinese operators, though some orders are from leasing company GE Capital Aviation Services, reports BBC News.
The C919 is not China's first foray into the commercial aviation industry. In the 1970's, Jiang Qing, Mao Zedong's wife, personally backed a project to build the country's own commercial aircraft. The project created the Y-10, though its heavy weight made it impractical for commercial use.
If test flights of the C919 are successful, the aircraft is due to enter commercial service in about 2019.
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