[090517.EN.BIZ] China's Home-built Passenger Plane Takes off On Maiden Flight

China's first large domestically made passenger aircraft took off for its maiden flight, mounting a major challenge to Boeing and Airbus.

The narrow-body C919 jet took off from Pudong airport in Shanghai, the BBC reported.

The plane is a key symbol of Beijing's soaring ambitions to enter the global aviation market. The jet by state-owned firm Comac has been planned since 2008 but the flight was repeatedly pushed back. The C919 is designed to be a direct competitor to Boeing's 737 and the Airbus A320.

It's estimated that the global aviation market will be worth US$2 trilllion over the next 20 years. The C919 is a single-aisle twin-engine plane with a capacity to seat up to 168 passengers. It will have a range of between 2,532 and 3,452 miles.

According to Chinese media, it will cost around $50 million, less than half of a Boeing 737 or Airbus A320.

The plane still relies on a wide array of imported technology though, it is for instance powered by engines from French-US supplier CFM International. Orders have already been placed for more than 500 of the planes, with commitments from 23 customers, say officials, mainly Chinese airlines. The main customer is China Eastern Airlines.

Europe's aviation safety regulator has started the certification process for the C919 - a crucial step for the aircraft to be successful on the international market.

Source : HKSG.