COMAC got its first C919 order from China Eastern Airlines

First firm order for the C919

COMAC got its first command for C919 from China Eastern Airlines back in March this year. The 5 aircraft will be based in Shanghai and fly to most popular Chinese destinations (Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Wuhan). Target is to deliver those units this year to start operation within 2021. I am looking forward to tracking them in the area.

China is looking forward to break the Boeing – Airbus duopoly with this C919 aircraft, a direct concurrent to the 737MAX, equipped with French LEAP-1C from CFM International, the joint venture between SAFRAN and General Electric. It has range of 2970 nautical miles, and will carry between 168 and 190 passengers.

C919 maiden flight was back in May 2017, and it started its certification phase in November 2020, but so far, I never had a chance to detect it on my trackers in Hong Kong. Looks like most of the flights were in North of China. Target is to get certification from CAAC, the Chinese aviation administration, before the end of 2021, to be able to start deliveries.

Airlines already flying the ARJ-21 in China

By end of 2020, COMAC was reporting that more than 800 units have been ordered, mainly by Chinese airlines and leasing companies. 100 units may go to China Express Airline, based in Guizhou. It’s little brother, the COMAC ARJ-21 has been flying in China for a while, mainly with Chengdu Airlines, China Southern Airlines and Jiangxi Air. I have detected many of them in South China.