BEIJING- An executive from the Chinese state-owned planemaker COMAC disclosed on Tuesday that the company’s inaugural wide-body jet is currently in the “detailed design stage.”
This update follows a report from the manufacturer responsible for the jet’s fuselage, which aims to deliver the initial fuselage section by September 2027.
COMAC Completes C929 Designing
The manufacturer’s statement marks the first indication of a production timeline for the C929 jet since Russia withdrew from a China-Russia joint venture in 2023, previously tasked with developing the twin-aisle plane, formerly known as the CR929.
China, represented by the state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), has made substantial investments in its endeavors to penetrate the passenger jet market, which is currently dominated by Western manufacturers such as Boeing and Airbus.
While COMAC has successfully launched the narrow-body C919 and regional jet ARJ21 into commercial operation, its progress in the long-haul wide-body program has encountered setbacks. This includes Russia’s withdrawal from the joint venture to develop the plane in 2023.
First Fuselage delivery by 2027
According to local media reports, Zhang Xiaoguang, the marketing director at COMAC, announced during a conference in Shanghai on Tuesday that the C929 has progressed into the detailed design phase.
Additionally, in February, Huarui Aero, the Chinese manufacturer chosen by COMAC in 2021 to construct the C929 fuselage, disclosed plans to deliver the first “middle section of the fuselage” by September 1, 2027.
The C929 is expected to accommodate approximately 280-400 seats and boast a range of 12,000 kilometers, as stated by COMAC.
Amidst a global shortage of new aircraft, China aims to expand COMAC’s domestic and international presence this year. This initiative includes seeking approval from Europe’s air safety regulator for the C919, which currently holds certification solely from China.
While the industry generally views COMAC’s entry into the market positively, some concerns are that developing competitive aircraft is a lengthy endeavor.
Moreover, industry observers caution that obtaining landmark approvals from Western regulators could take several years.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News
