Comac C919

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from C919)

C919
The first C919 delivered to China Eastern Airlines, the type's launch operator
Role Narrow-body airliner
National origin China
Manufacturer Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd.
Designer Wu Guanghui
First flight 5 May 2017; 6 years ago (2017-05-05)[1]
Introduction 28 May 2023 with China Eastern Airlines[2]
Status 5 in service
Primary user China Eastern Airlines
Produced 2015–present
Number built 11[a][3][4]

The Comac C919 is a narrow-body airliner developed by Chinese aircraft manufacturer Comac. The development program was launched in 2008. Production began in December 2011, with the first prototype being rolled out on 2 November 2015; the maiden flight took place on 5 May 2017. On 29 September 2022 the C919 received its CAAC type certificate. The first production airframe was delivered to China Eastern Airlines on 9 December 2022 and was put into commercial passenger service on 28 May 2023.

The aircraft, primarily constructed with aluminium alloys, is powered by CFM International LEAP turbofan engines and carries 156 to 168 passengers in a normal operating configuration up to 5,555 km (3000 nmi; 3,500 mi). In 2023, COMAC announced that it would develop both a shortened and a stretched version of the passenger jet – similar to the sub-variants offered for the competing Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320neo family.

Naming[edit]

In the model number, the C stands for "Comac" and "China".[5] The C also forms an "ABC" parallel situation with Airbus and Boeing.[6]

Development[edit]

Model of the C919 from 2010.

The 2008 program launch initially targeted a maiden flight in 2014.[7] Comac applied for a type certificate for the aircraft from the Civil Aviation Authority of China on 28 October 2010.[8] At that time the company intended to manufacture up to 2,300 aircraft of the type.[9] In June 2011, COMAC and Irish low-cost airline Ryanair signed an agreement to co-operate on the development of the C919.[10] In 2012 Airbus' chief strategist Marwan Lahoud assumed that the aircraft would offer competition to Airbus by 2020.[11]

Preliminary design[edit]

On 24 November 2011, Comac announced the completion of the joint definition phase, marking the end of the preliminary design phase for the C919, with estimated completion of the detailed design phase in 2012.[12] Production of the first C919 prototype began on 9 December 2011.[13] The C919's aerodynamics were designed with the help of the Tianhe-2 supercomputer.[14] The annual production was targeted at 150 planes by 2020.[15] Canada's Bombardier Aerospace started collaborating in March 2012 on supply chain services, electrical systems, human interface, cockpit, flight training, flight-test support, sales, and marketing.[16]

Prototyping[edit]

Its announced development budget was 58 billion yuan ($9.5 billion) but its actual cost was estimated at well over $20 billion.[17] The first prototype was expected to complete final assembly in 2014 and perform its first flight in 2015;[18] however, delivery was delayed again until 2018 due to technical difficulties and supply issues.[19] At the November 2014 Zhuhai Airshow, it was announced that the first flight would be delayed to 2017.[20] On 2 November 2015, Comac rolled out its first C919 aircraft.[21][22][23]

In May 2018, the development of a composite wing completed in 2012 was revealed years after abandoning it for a metallic one, as static and damage tolerance tests were completed, verifying the structural design and strength before full-size composite wingbox tests.[24] On 12 July, the static test aircraft simulated a 2.5g manoeuvre with a 150% ultimate load, bending the wings at the tips by nearly three metres for three seconds.[25]

US espionage allegations[edit]

According to a report from cybersecurity firm Crowdstrike and a US Justice Department indictment, from 2010 to 2015 the Chinese cyberthreat actor Turbine Panda, linked to the Ministry of State Security's Jiangsu Bureau, penetrated a number of the C919's foreign components manufacturers including Ametek, Capstone Turbine, GE Aviation, Honeywell, Safran, and others and stole intellectual property and industrial process data with the aim of transitioning component manufacturing to Chinese companies.[26][27][28][29] The report stated that the operations involved both cyber intrusion and theft as well as HUMINT operations, in most cases using a piece of code custom written for this industrial espionage operation.[26][27][28][29] As of 2019, four people have been arrested in the US as a result of investigations into this economic espionage and theft of trade secrets.[29]

In November 2022, a federal jury in Cincinnati convicted Yanjun Xu, 42, on counts of conspiracy to commit economic espionage, conspiracy to commit trade secret theft, attempted economic espionage and attempted trade secret theft. The US court found that Xu played a key role in a plot to steal trade secrets from western aerospace firms, for the purpose of helping the C919 commercial airliner program. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison.[30]

Flight testing[edit]

The first prototype ground tested

2017[edit]

The C919 during its maiden flight on 5 May 2017

High-speed taxi tests by the first C919 prototype were completed in April 2017[31] and the first flight took place on 5 May 2017.[32][33] At the time, Comac had a planned test programme of 4,200 flight hours and introduction to service in 2020.[1] It was estimated that this could be delayed into 2021.[34] The European Aviation Safety Agency is intended to validate the Chinese type certificate.[35] The 4,200 hours of testing planned were higher than the 3,000 hours typically required for the Airbus or Boeing narrowbodies, but lower than the 5,000 hours needed for the ARJ21.[36]

Comac had its second prototype ready on 28 July 2017, aiming to fly it within the year for engine, APU, fuel system and extreme weather tests. The flight-test plan included six aircraft.[37] On 28 September, it made its second flight at 10,000 ft (3,000 m), which lasted 2 hours 46 minutes, although it was supposed to last one more hour.[38] The five-month delay between first and second flights, while the second prototype was being ground-tested, was extraordinary: in 2013 the Airbus A350 flew again after five days and in 2015 the troubled Mitsubishi MRJ flew again after eight days.[39]

On 3 November, it made its third flight in 3h 45min, reaching 3,000 m (9,800 ft).[40] It was transferred on 10 November from Shanghai to Xi'an to continue its flight test program, a 2h 24min, 1,300 km (700 nmi; 810 mi) flight reaching 7,800 m (25,600 ft) and Mach 0.74 (825 km/h; 445 kn).[41]

The second prototype first flight on 17 December 2017

The second prototype made its first flight on 17 December 2017. The flight test program allocated the first three prototypes for aircraft performance and engine and power systems testing, the fourth prototype for avionics and electrical system, and the fifth and sixth prototypes for passenger facilities, including the cabin and information system.[citation needed]

2018[edit]

The delay between first and subsequent flights underlined the program immaturity by maiden flight: flying early at low speed and altitude is possible but faster and higher is limited by aeroelastic flutter needing ground vibration testing and aircraft instrumentation which were not ready in May.[42] Due to flight testing problems, the 2020 introduction previously scheduled was delayed to 2021, for China Eastern Airlines.[43] In February 2018, the first prototype was flying more than once a week.[44]

In June 2018, Aviation Week reported flight-test aircraft grounding for modifications, extending the schedule by three months but maintaining a 2020 certification target. The two prototypes needed their flaps and tailplanes modified, due to delamination of the carbon-fiber reinforced plastic elevators.[45] The third test aircraft was also being modified and maximum-rate pressurization was tested. As three other planes will be available in 2019, Comac maintains first deliveries for 2021.[46]

Comac denied any grounding and highlighted that modifications were part of the flight test process, stating the two first aircraft were flying stability tests and checking systems. The first was calibrated and had its counterweight and trailing cone systems modified while the second had its functions and systems checked. The third was in final assembly with its wing and fuselage joined, cables and systems were being installed for a first flight target by the end of the year.[47] On 12 July, the second prototype flew from Shanghai-Pudong to Dongying Airport in 1h 46min to allow for various meteorological conditions testing.[25] In September, Comac expected to conduct 1,500 test flights for over 2,000 flying hours before the first delivery and planned to fly the third prototype before the end of 2018.[48]

In October 2018, the flight-deck design was re-evaluated to comply with US FAR Part 25.1302, which is not required by CAAC but would be needed for FAA certification in order to sell the aircraft outside China. Developing a Chinese engine to replace the CFM Leap-1C would take at least another 15 years.[49] At that time the two prototypes had flown less than 150 h, averaging less than 5 h per month each. To achieve certification in December 2020 and first delivery in 2021, the planned 4,200 h of flight tests would need 33 hours a month each if the last four prototypes are evenly spaced before year-end-2019. Newest airliner designs like the Airbus A350 needed a 2,600 hour test program, and the Mitsubishi MRJ is expected to need 3,000 h.[50]

On 15 October 2018, ten Chinese nationals, including intelligence officials, were indicted by the US for allegedly working with COMAC to allegedly steal the secrets of thirteen foreign aerospace companies working on the C919.[51]

By the end of 2018, the first prototype was to enter flutter flight tests after having completed ground tests.[52] The third prototype made its maiden flight on 28 December for 1h 38 min.[53]

2019[edit]

A fourth prototype conducted its maiden flight on 1 August 2019 from Shanghai Pudong International Airport.[54][33] A fifth prototype conducted its first flight on 24 October 2019, also from Shanghai airport; the fifth prototype was expected to test for extreme weather conditions, the environmental control system, drainage systems and electrical supplies.[55] Comac rescheduled its certification target from 2020 to 2021, with the first delivery the following year.[56][33]

The sixth and final prototype, intended for the flight certification program, completed its maiden flight on 27 December 2019. Reports at the time indicated that the C919 was expected to commence commercial service with China Eastern Airlines in either 2021 or 2022.[57]

2020[edit]

Air display at Nanchang in 2020 (0:50–1:50)

On 27 November 2020, the C919 received its type inspection authorization from the CAAC, meaning that "the aircraft design has been finalised and verified, and that no major changes can be made to its structure."[58]

2021[edit]

After completing cold-weather testing in China's Inner Mongolia, the C919 is slated to conduct flight tests in natural icing conditions from London International Airport in Ontario, Canada during March 2021. However, these tests may be delayed depending on the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic.[59][needs update]

Commercial introduction[edit]

2022[edit]

The C919 completed its first pre-delivery flight test at Shanghai Pudong International Airport. Comac reports that the aircraft (B-001J, MSN107) successfully completed a 3-hour test session on 14 May 2022.[60] The aircraft bearing the livery of China Eastern Airlines, was set to be delivered in 2022.[61] In May 2022, the heavily modified jet was listed for a price of 653 million yuan (US$101 million), almost matching the Airbus A320neo and the Boeing 737 MAX competitors, and twice the US$50 million price initially anticipated, albeit with composite wings.[62]

The airline flew a number of route-proving flights throughout 2022 to reinforce its viability on important segments. Many of the flights were flown between different Chinese cities. Around the same time, the first production aircraft, bound for China Eastern Airlines, started performing flight tests to ensure its preparation for commercial service. COMAC reported after the first flight that all pre-set tasks were accomplished successfully.[63][64] It is forecasted that one C919 is to be delivered to China Eastern Airlines in 2022,[needs update] while the remaining four aircraft in the first batch of orders will be delivered in 2023.[65]

The aircraft received its airworthiness certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China on 29 September 2022[66] and the first operational airframe intended for commercial service was delivered to launch customer China Eastern Airlines on 9 December 2022 in Shanghai.[67] The aircraft was expected to enter regular service around Spring 2023.[68]

2023[edit]

The first C919 commercial flight departed from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport on 28 May 2023

The C919 aircraft delivered to China Eastern Airlines continued flying short test flights for most of January 2023, with a break from 20 to 28 January for the Lunar New Year celebrations.[69] In February 2023, China Eastern Airlines' C919 flight-test verification program was delayed due to a malfunction in the jet's CFM International LEAP-1C engine's thrust reverser.[70] On 7 May 2023, test flights resumed after a three-month break that had grounded the entire fleet of C919s; the airline continued to plan for passenger revenue-service to commence in spring 2023.[70]

On 28 May 2023, COMAC C919 commercial service began with China Eastern Airlines flight MU9191 departing from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport and arriving at Beijing Capital Airport.[2]

On 29 May 2023, the C919 began routine flights MU9197 and MU 9198 connecting Shanghai Hongqiao Airport and Chengdu Tianfu Airport on a daily basis.[71][72]

China Eastern Airlines inducted a second C919 aircraft, registered as B-919C, with a formal reception taking place on 14 July 2023 at the flight test complex building of Zhuqiao base.[73]

In July 2023, it was announced that Suparna Airlines, a Chinese airline owned by Hainan Airlines, had signed a framework agreement with SPDB Financial Leasing valued at US $3.6 billion for leasing 30 COMAC C919 aircraft.[74]

On 20 September 2023, Brunei's GallopAir said the C919 aircraft will undergo certification processes by Brunei's Department of Civil Aviation prior to delivery, which is forecasted to begin in the third quarter of 2024. Once certified, GallopAir would be the first operator of C919 outside of China and the first in Southeast Asia.[75]

C919 flight demonstration over Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong

From 12 to 17 December 2023, the C919 and ARJ21 conducted static displays at Hong Kong International Airport for the first time outside the Chinese mainland, and the C919 conducted a flight demonstration over Victoria Harbour on the 16th.[76][77]

2024[edit]

Comac C919 on static display at the Singapore Airshow.

The C919 aircraft made its debut on foreign soil and staged a fly-by at the pre-show of the 2024 Singapore Airshow.[78] Also at the airshow, Comac announced an order from Tibet Airlines for 40 C919s. The high-altitude variant ordered will have a shortened fuselage and strengthened landing gear for short-field performance.[79]

Overseas certificate recognition[edit]

On 4 January 2024, CAAC expressed its intent to work with EASA to validate the C919's airworthiness certificate for Europe.[80]

Variants[edit]

C919-100[edit]

In September 2023, COMAC Chairman He Dongfeng revealed that shortened and extended variants of the C919 would be built, covering a range from 130 to 240 seats. At its maximum, it would fit nearly 50 more passengers than the current variant, which can seat 156-192 people.[81]

The future shortened version of the C919 is anticipated to serve routes with high-altitude landing sites. On 17 December 2023, COMAC signed a deal with Tibet Airlines to jointly develop the high-altitude version of the jet in order to serve passengers in the Tibetan-Himalayan plateau.[82]

Design[edit]

Configuration and performance[edit]

The dimensions of the C919 are quite similar to those of the Airbus A320; its fuselage is 3.96 metres (13.0 ft) wide and 4.166 metres (13.67 ft) high with a 12.915 square metres (139.02 sq ft) cross-section. This may allow for a common unit load device to be used for both aircraft. It has a 33.6 metres (110 ft) wingspan (35.4 metres (116 ft) with winglets).[83] The aircraft's intended payload capacity will be 20.4 tonnes. The design calls for cruise at Mach 0.785 (450 kn; 834 km/h) with an operating ceiling of 12,200 metres (39,800 feet). There will be two variants: the standard version with a 4,075 km (2,200 nmi; 2,532 mi) range, and a 5,555 km (2,999 nmi; 3,452 mi) extended-range version.[83] The C919 is a conservative design, deemed by analysts to be similar to the 30 year-old A320[42] and less efficient than the A320neo and 737 MAX.[84]

Construction[edit]

The center wing box, outer wing box, wing panels, flaps, and ailerons are planned to be built in Xi'an, China; the center fuselage sections are planned to be built in Hongdu, China.[85] Aluminium-lithium alloys account for 8.8% of the structure and composite materials for 12%.[86] The air frame will be made largely of aluminium alloy. Aircraft design and assembly is performed in Shanghai.[87]

Wings[edit]

The wing is of a supercritical design, increasing aerodynamic efficiency by 20% and reducing drag by 8% compared to a non-supercritical wing.[88] The center wing box was originally intended to use carbon fibre composites.[9] It was changed later to an aluminium design to reduce design complications.[89]

Systems[edit]

The air conditioning made by Liebherr

The engine's nacelle, thrust reverser and exhaust system will be provided by Nexcelle, with such features as an advanced inlet configuration, the extensive use of composites and acoustic treatment and an electrically operated thrust reverser.[90] Michelin will supply Air X radial tyres.[91] Its integrated modular avionics architecture is based on Ethernet.[42] The landing gear is made in China by a joint venture of Germany's Liebherr and Avic's Landing Gear Advanced Manufacturing Corp: Liebherr LAMC Aviation.[48]

While the airframe is entirely made by Chinese Avic, some systems are sourced from a wide variety of international suppliers, similar to Airbus and Boeing. Most such components are sourced from joint-ventures with foreign companies located within China: with UTAS for the electric power, fire protection and lighting; with Rockwell Collins for the cabin systems and avionics, with Thales for the IFE, with Honeywell for the flight controls, APU, wheels and brakes; with Moog for the high lift system; with Parker for the hydraulics, actuators and fuel systems, with Liebherr for the landing gear and air management.

Very few components, such as the CFM engine and Nexcelle nacelle are entirely foreign imported.[92] It has been reported that COMAC is working on a plan to become more self-sufficient in terms of suppliers, with a long-term goal of replacing all US-export controlled components, due to arbitrary American export restrictions affecting their ability to boost jet output.[93]

Engines[edit]

CFM International LEAP-1C[edit]

CFM International LEAP mockup

Pratt & Whitney and CFM International each offered an engine for the aircraft in 2009, the PW1000G and the LEAP-1C, respectively;[94] the LEAP-1C was selected.[95] A similar engine by the same manufacturer is also used on the Airbus A320 neo and Boeing 737 MAX families of aircraft.

In February 2020, Reuters reported that the US government was considering blocking GE from selling the LEAP-1C engine to Comac, citing concerns of reverse engineering, competition for Boeing, and military use of technology.[96] Then-President Donald Trump tweeted opposition, saying that national security should not be grounds for trade restrictions.[97] The US eventually granted GE a license to sell the engines in April 2020.[98]

ACAE CJ-1000A[edit]

AVIC Commercial Aircraft Engine Co was tasked with developing an indigenous engine for the aircraft in 2009.[99]

Assembly of the first CJ-1000A X engine was completed in 18 months in December 2017. The planned entry into service was 2021.[100] The engine first ran in May 2018 to 6,600 rpm core speed.[101]

In March 2023, reports emerged that the flight test campaign for the CJ-1000A engine had started on a Xi'an Y-20 test aircraft.[102]

Market[edit]

In 2012 the C919 order book stood at 380 units worth US$26 billion,[103] and averaging $68.4 million. FlightGlobal's Ascend market values in 2013 were $49.2 million for the Airbus A320neo, 51% less than its $100.2 million list price and $51.4 million for the Boeing 737 MAX-8, 49% less than its $100.5 million list price.[104]

The Chinese airlines that have placed orders for the C919 already have either the Boeing 737 or Airbus A320 in their fleets.[105] In 2013, Chinese state-owned newspaper Global Times complained that an Aviation Week editorial about the bleak prospects for the aircraft "maliciously disparaged the future outlook for the C919".[106]

COMAC aims to take a fifth of the global narrowbody market and a third of the Chinese market by 2035.[7] It expects 2,000 sales in the next 20 years.[107] The Financial Times commented that China considers it as a source of national pride.[108] It also claimed the C919 is outdated by 10–15 years compared to the latest versions of the A320 and Boeing 737, and will probably cost more to operate.[109] Its range of 2,200–3,000 nmi (4,100–5,600 km; 2,500–3,500 mi) falls short of the 3,400 and 3,550 nmi (6,300 and 6,570 km; 3,910 and 4,090 mi) of the A320neo and 737 Max 8, the C919 payload-range and economics are similar to the current single-aisles, but it will compete with the Neo and Max. FlightGlobal forecasts 1,209 deliveries: 687 standard and 522 stretched variants, for 85% in China.[36]

Deliveries and orders[edit]

Deliveries[edit]

The first C919 airframe intended for commercial service was delivered to launch customer China Eastern Airlines on 9 December 2022.[67] At the time, China Eastern stated that it planned to receive the remaining four airframes from its initial order of five aircraft over the course of 2023 and 2024.[67] The second, third, fourth, and fifth airframes were delivered to China Eastern on 14 July 2023, 9 December 2023, 2 January 2024, and 2 March 2024 respectively, thereby completing China Eastern's initial order.[110][111][3][112][4]

Deliveries[113][114][115]
Airline 2022 2023 2024
China Eastern Airlines 1 2 2
Total 5

As of January 2023 the company aims to expand its annual production capacity to 150 airliners within five years.[116]

Orders[edit]

At the November 2010 Zhuhai Airshow, Comac announced orders for 55 C919 aircraft from 6 airlines, with an additional 45 options. The purchasing airlines or lessors included China Eastern Airlines, Air China, Hainan Airlines, China Southern Airlines, CDB Leasing Company, and GE Capital Aviation Services.[117] On 19 October 2011, Chinese ICBC Leasing ordered 45 C919s and agreed to be the launch customer.[118] On 11 November 2014, Comac announced at the 2014 Zhuhai Airshow that China Merchants Bank's aircraft leasing division made a firm commitment for 30 C919s, and that total orders were now up to 450 aircraft.[119]

At the June 2015 Paris Air Show, Ping An Leasing signed a letter of intent for 50 C919s, becoming one of Comac's largest customers, and Puren Group signed a letter of intent for seven C919s and seven ARJ21s, intended for the start-up Puren Airlines.[120] In November 2016 COMAC received an order for 20 C919s including 5 firm from Shanghai Pudong Development Bank Financial Leasing and for 36 C919s from CITIC Group Financial Leasing including 18 firm.[121] While no down payments for the order were needed before C919's maiden flight, 500,000 yuan ($76,000) nevertheless were deposited subsequently for each of the firm order.[122] The 5 December 2017 ICBC Leasing order for 55 brought the order book to 785.[123]

In February 2018, the total order book for the C919 stood at 815, prior to the order for 200 from HNA Group in June 2018 which also included an order for 100 ARJ-21s.[124] By August 2018, FlightGlobal counted 305 orders plus 45 options and 658 letters of intent: 1008 commitments.[36]

In January 2023, COMAC reported having received more than 1,200 orders.[116]

On 20 September 2023, Brunei GallopAir placed an order worth US$2 billion for 15 units of C919 and 15 units of ARJ21 jets. Once completed, this would make Brunei GallopAir the first non-Chinese & Southeast Asian operator of C919.[125]

In September 2023, it was reported that C919 orders had reached 1,061.[126]

Orderbook[127]
Customer Orders Options
ABC Financial Leasing 65 10
AerCap 20
Air China 5 15
AVIC International Leasing 15 15
Bank of Communications Financial Leasing 30
BOC Aviation 20
Brunei GallopAir 15
CCB Financial Leasing 50
CDB Leasing 10
China Aircraft Leasing Co. 20
China Eastern Airlines 105[128] 15[129][130]
China Huarong Financial Leasing 30
China Southern Airlines 5 15
Citic Financial Leasing 18
Hainan Airlines 20
Hebei Airlines 20
Huabao Leasing 15 15
ICBC Financial Leasing 100
Industrial Bank 20
Joy Air 20
Nuclear Construction Financial Leasing 20 20
Ping An Leasing 50
Sichuan Airlines 20
SPDB Financial Leasing 5 15
Tibet Airlines 40[79]
Total 738 120

Cancelled orders[edit]

Orders
Customer Firm
orders
Options
LOI/MOU
All Date
Puren Group[131] 7 7 17 June 2015
City Airways[b][133] 10 (MOU) 10 16 September 2015

Operators[edit]

Airline Country Photo -100 Notes Refs
China Eastern Airlines  China 5

Specifications[edit]

Variant C919[c][134]
Cockpit crew 2 pilots
Seats 158 ((8J + 150Y)) to 192 (1-class HD)[135]
Cargo capacity 45.2 m3 (1,600 cu ft)
Length 38.9 m (127 ft 7 in)
Wingspan 35.8 m (117 ft 5 in)
Wing area 129.15 m2 (1,390.2 sq ft)
Height 11.95 m (39 ft 2 in)
Fuselage height 4.166 m (13 ft 8.0 in)
Fuselage width 3.96 m (13 ft 0 in)
Maximum payload 18,900 kg (41,700 lb)
OEW 45,700 kg (100,800 lb)
MTOW 75,100 kg (165,600 lb)
ER: 78,900 kg (173,900 lb)
Fuel capacity 24,917 L (6,582 US gal)
Engines (×2) CFM LEAP-1C
Fan diameter 78 in (198 cm)
Max. takeoff thrust 126.63 kN (28,468 lbf)
ER: 130 kN (30,000 lbf)
Cruise Mach .785 (453 kn; 838 km/h; 521 mph)
Range (STD PL) 4,139 km (2,235 nmi; 2,572 mi)
ER: 5,576 km (3,011 nmi; 3,465 mi)
Ceiling 12,100 m (39,800 ft)[136]
Takeoff (MTOW, ISA) 2,052 m (6,732 ft)
ER: 2,125 m (6,972 ft)

See also[edit]

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ This count includes only the number of airframes delivered to customers plus the 6 airframes produced for the program's airworthiness campaign. It does not include test articles and airframes in various stages of production and tests.
  2. ^ City Airways orders looks doubtful as it was shut down in early 2016 by the Thai government[132]
  3. ^ Specifications are for standard range aircraft unless otherwise noted

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Greg Waldron (5 May 2017). "Comac C919 lands after uneventful maiden sortie". Flight Global. Archived from the original on 5 September 2017. Retrieved 5 May 2017.
  2. ^ a b "China's C919 Takes Maiden Commercial Flight-and First Bite From Boeing". The Wall Street Journal. 28 May 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  3. ^ a b "The third C919 delivered in Shanghai". chinadaily.com.cn. 9 December 2023. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  4. ^ a b "China Eastern Airlines receives new, homegrown jetliner". China Daily. 2 March 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  5. ^ Jie, Liu; Zhongxi, Qi; Tao, Hu (5 May 2017). "China Focus: China's homegrown jumbo passenger jet takes to the sky". Xinhua. Archived from the original on 5 May 2017. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
  6. ^ "China-made C919 to compete with Airbus, Boeing". Shanghai Daily. 8 March 2009. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  7. ^ a b Katie Cantle (5 May 2017). "COMAC launches C919 inaugural flight". Air Transport World. Aviation Week. Archived from the original on 15 June 2017. Retrieved 5 May 2017.
  8. ^ "Zhuhai10: COMAC releases C919 specifications". Flight Global. 16 November 2010. Archived from the original on 4 December 2016. Retrieved 5 May 2017.
  9. ^ a b Richard Aboulafia (2010). Comac C919 Program Briefing (PDF). World Military & Civil Aircraft Briefing (Report). pp. 78–81. Archived from the original on 21 June 2013.
  10. ^ "Ryanair and COMAC Sign C919 MOU in Paris" (Press release). Ryanair. 12 December 2013. Archived from the original on 12 December 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2017.
  11. ^ "Airbus to Seek Alliances as Rivals Try to Sell Big Planes". Bloomberg. 14 February 2012. Archived from the original on 29 September 2018. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  12. ^ "C919 project at "crucial point" in detailed design". Flight Global. 25 November 2011. Archived from the original on 20 April 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  13. ^ "COMAC begins pilot production of C919 jet". People's Daily Online. 16 December 2011. Archived from the original on 23 September 2013. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
  14. ^ "China's Tianhe-2 retains supercomputer crown". Xinhua. 23 June 2014. Archived from the original on 29 June 2014.
  15. ^ Agence France-Presse (19 November 2012). "China's COMAC Collects 50 More Orders for Home-grown C919 Airplane". Industry Week. Archived from the original on 8 February 2013. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  16. ^ Mavis Toh (4 December 2013). "Comac and Bombardier discuss next phase of collaboration". Flight Global. Archived from the original on 20 August 2017. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
  17. ^ Perrett, Bradley (16 December 2013). "C919 May Be Largely Limited To Chinese Market". Aviation Week & Space Technology. Archived from the original on 20 April 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  18. ^ "China's C919 large airplane schedule to take first flight in 2015". People's Daily Online. 18 February 2014. Archived from the original on 2 March 2014. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
  19. ^ Ren, Daniel (22 May 2014). "China's first large airliner delayed by technology problems". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 25 May 2014. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
  20. ^ "China Planemaker Gets New Orders in Fight With Airbus, Boeing". Bloomberg. 11 November 2014. Archived from the original on 11 November 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
  21. ^ "China's Comac rolls out C919 jet, ground tests to start soon". Reuters. 1 November 2015. Archived from the original on 5 November 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  22. ^ "China's Airbus: Country to roll out first indigenous passenger jet in Shanghai after 7-year wait". South China Morning Post. 2 November 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  23. ^ Jiang, Steven (2 November 2015). "China takes on Boeing, Airbus with homegrown passenger jet". CNN. Archived from the original on 2 November 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  24. ^ Mavis Toh (25 June 2018). "Comac completes static tests for composite wing project". Flightglobal. Archived from the original on 25 June 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  25. ^ a b Greg Waldron (13 July 2018). "PICTURES: C919 undergoes ultimate wing load test". Flightglobal. Archived from the original on 13 July 2018. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  26. ^ a b Cimpanu, Catalin. "Building China's Comac C919 airplane involved a lot of hacking, report says". www.zdnet.com. ZDNet. Archived from the original on 15 November 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  27. ^ a b Paganini, Pierluigi (18 October 2019). "China-linked cyberspies Turbine PANDA targeted aerospace firms for years". securityaffairs.co. Security Affairs. Archived from the original on 12 January 2020. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  28. ^ a b "Indictment". 25 October 2018. Archived from the original on 1 November 2018.
  29. ^ a b c Vijayan, Jai (14 October 2019). "Cyber Theft, Humint Helped China Cut Corners on Passenger Jet – Beijing likely saved a lot of time and billions of dollars by copying components for its C919 plane from others, a new report from CrowdStrike says". DarkReading. InformationWeek. The human intelligence efforts included one by a now-indicted MSS intelligence officer to recruit an insider at LEAP-X manufacturer General Electric. The same officer also recruited a China-born US Army reservist who was an expert at assessing turbine engine schematics. So far, at least four individuals have been arrested in connection with China's campaign targeting aerospace companies.
  30. ^ "Chinese Spy Gets 20 Years for Aviation Espionage Plot". 17 November 2022.
  31. ^ Katie Cantle (25 April 2017). "COMAC C919 completes high-speed taxi tests; cleared for first flight". Air Transport World. Aviation Week. Archived from the original on 25 April 2017. Retrieved 25 April 2017.
  32. ^ "China's first big passenger plane takes off for maiden flight". BBC News. 5 May 2017. Archived from the original on 5 May 2017. Retrieved 5 May 2017.
  33. ^ a b c "Latest C919 Prototype Completes Maiden Flight". Airliner World. October 2019: 17.
  34. ^ Bradley Perrett (18 May 2017). "Source: COMAC C919 targets first delivery for 2020". Air Transport World. Aviation Week Network. Archived from the original on 18 May 2017. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  35. ^ "Civil Aviation Programs To Watch". Aviation Week & Space Technology. 9 June 2017.
  36. ^ a b c Firdaus Hashim (26 October 2018). "Comac marches forward with ARJ21 and C919". Flightglobal. Archived from the original on 28 October 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  37. ^ Mavis Toh (31 July 2017). "Comac achieves power-on for second C919 prototype". Flightglobal. Archived from the original on 31 July 2017. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  38. ^ Greg Waldron (28 September 2017). "Comac C919 completes two-hour second flight". Flightglobal. Archived from the original on 28 September 2017. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  39. ^ Bradley Perrett (19 September 2017). "Second Comac C919 Flight Imminent, Five Months After First Flight". Aviation Week. Archived from the original on 23 September 2017. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
  40. ^ Mavis Toh (3 November 2017). "C919 takes third flight; engines start up on FTA 2". Flightglobal. Archived from the original on 3 November 2017. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  41. ^ Mavis Toh (10 November 2017). "Comac transfers C919 to Xi'an for flight tests". Flightglobal. Archived from the original on 10 November 2017. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  42. ^ a b c Bjorn Fehrm (3 January 2018). "United Aircraft's and COMAC's eventful year". Leeham. Archived from the original on 2 March 2019. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  43. ^ Brenda Goh (5 February 2018). "China's COMAC says first delivery of C919 jet planned for 2021". Reuters. Archived from the original on 6 February 2018. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  44. ^ Bradley Perrett (6 February 2018). "Comac Aiming At 2021 For C919 First Delivery". Aviation Week Network. Archived from the original on 11 February 2018. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  45. ^ Bradley Perrett (15 June 2018). "Comac Suspends C919 Flight Testing For Modifications". Aviation Week Network. Archived from the original on 20 June 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  46. ^ "COMAC suspends the flight tests for C919". AirlinerWatch. 18 June 2018. Archived from the original on 9 August 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  47. ^ Mavis Toh (22 June 2018). "Comac stresses progress as C919 prototypes fly". Flightglobal. Archived from the original on 14 April 2019. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  48. ^ a b Bradley Perrett (26 September 2018). "Third Comac C919 Flight Test Aircraft To Fly This Year". Aviation Week Network. Archived from the original on 10 October 2018. Retrieved 7 October 2018.
  49. ^ Jennifer Meszaros (17 October 2018). "Comac C919 Stumbles on FAA Flight Deck Standards". AIN online. Archived from the original on 10 December 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  50. ^ Bradley Perrett (20 November 2018). "Comac C919 Testing Needs To Accelerate". Aviation Week & Space Technology. Archived from the original on 9 January 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  51. ^ Ferry, Jeff (16 December 2019). "How China Stole an Entire Airplane". www.industryweek.com. Industry Week. Archived from the original on 17 December 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  52. ^ Greg Waldron (18 December 2018). "Comac gears up for C919 flutter tests". Flightglobal. Archived from the original on 18 December 2018. Retrieved 18 December 2018.
  53. ^ Greg Waldron (28 December 2018). "Third C919 prototype operates first flight". Flightglobal. Archived from the original on 29 December 2018. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  54. ^ Chua, Alfred (1 August 2019). "Fourth C919 prototype completes test flight". Flightglobal. Archived from the original on 1 August 2019. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
  55. ^ Chua, Alfred (24 October 2019). "Fifth C919 prototype completes test flight". Flightglobal. Archived from the original on 30 October 2019. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  56. ^ Bradley Perrett (26 August 2019). "Comac C919 Delivery May Be Three Years Away". Aviation Week & Space Technology.
  57. ^ Greg Waldron (27 December 2019). "C919 test fleet complete with flight of sixth prototype". Flight Global. Archived from the original on 27 December 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
  58. ^ Alfred Chua (27 November 2020). "Comac C919 enters final flight test stage". Flight Global.
  59. ^ Alfred Chua (8 February 2021). "C919 heads to Canada for cold-weather icing tests". Flightglobal.
  60. ^ "Chinese rival to B737 and A320 jets completes Shanghai flight test". South China Morning Post. 14 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  61. ^ "First C919 jet to be delivered completes successful maiden test flight". Xinhua. 14 May 2022.
  62. ^ Rong, Huang; Yi, Ding (12 May 2022). "China-Developed C919 Jet to Cost Twice the Expected Price, Filing Shows". Cai Xin Global – via The Straits Times.
  63. ^ "China's COMAC C919 Performing Route Proving Flights Across China". Smart Aviation Asia-Pacific. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  64. ^ "COMAC Flies 1st C919 Bound For An Airline Customer". Simple Flying. 15 May 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  65. ^ "China Eastern sees smaller-than-expected C919 delivery this year". Reuters. 1 September 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  66. ^ "China certifies COMAC C919, five years after first flight". Aviation Week. 29 September 2022.
  67. ^ a b c "China Eastern takes delivery of the world's first made-in-China C919 jet". Reuters. 9 December 2022.
  68. ^ Charlotte Seet (30 January 2023). "COMAC C919 First Flight Of Lunar New Year, Targets 150 Aircraft Per Year". Simple Flying. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  69. ^ Seet, Charlotte (30 January 2023). "COMAC C919 First Flight Of Lunar New Year, Targets 150 Aircraft Per Year". Simple Flying. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  70. ^ a b "The COMAC C919 Flies For The 1st Time In 3 Months". Simple Flying. 7 May 2023. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  71. ^ "首架C919大型客机常态化运行,未来将投放更多航线". news.sina.com.cn. 28 May 2023. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  72. ^ "C919开启常态化商业飞行 国产飞机将撬动万亿新蓝海". www.ncsti.gov.cn. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  73. ^ Svenson, Adam (17 July 2023). "COMAC Successfully Delivers Second C919 Aircraft to China Eastern Airlines". AIR SPACE News. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  74. ^ Grey, Charles (22 July 2023). "Suparna Airlines Acquires 30 COMAC C919 Jets". AIR SPACE News. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  75. ^ "Brunei's Gallop Air places $2 bln order for China-made C919, ARJ21 jets". Reuters. 20 September 2023.
  76. ^ "China-made C919, ARJ21 passenger jets on display in Hong Kong". AP News. 13 December 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
  77. ^ ""C919 Aircraft Flight Demonstration in Hong Kong" Photo Competition". Hong Kong International Airport. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
  78. ^ "China's first homegrown airliner makes international debut in Singapore". Reuters. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  79. ^ a b Peters, Luke (20 February 2024). "Tibet Airlines has ordered COMAC C919s and ARJ21s". Aerotime.
  80. ^ "China seeks European approval of C919, wants its home-grown jet to compete with Boeing and Airbus abroad". South China Morning Post. 4 January 2024.
  81. ^ "China's C919 jet to come in different sizes, and AI will help optimise design". scmp.com. 11 September 2023.
  82. ^ "C919: China to develop high-altitude version of narrowbody passenger jet seeking to reduce reliance on Boeing, Airbus". scmp.com. 18 December 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  83. ^ a b Bradley Perrett (8 September 2009). "Comac Begins Building C919 Structure". Aviation Week. Archived from the original on 21 April 2017. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
  84. ^ Venckunas, Valius (10 November 2020). "COMAC C919: how to break Airbus-Boeing duopoly – AeroTime".
  85. ^ "COMAC C919 – program supplier guide". Airframer Limited. Stansted News. 24 March 2017. Archived from the original on 7 June 2017. Retrieved 19 August 2011.
  86. ^ "COMAC Rolls Out First C919 in Shanghai" (Press release). Comac. 2 November 2015. Archived from the original on 17 May 2016. Retrieved 5 May 2017.
  87. ^ "Comac Plans to Fly Three More C919s This Year". VirtualExpo. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  88. ^ An Xinzhu (6 April 2017). "Jumbo Jet Collaborative Innovation". China Today. Archived from the original on 2 October 2017. Retrieved 5 May 2017.
  89. ^ Mavis Toh (4 July 2014). "Xi'an Aircraft rolls out first C919 center wing box". Flight Global. Archived from the original on 16 February 2016. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  90. ^ "High Tech Nacelle for C919 Said To Be World First". Aviation Daily. Aviation Week. 5 February 2010. Archived from the original on 21 April 2017. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
  91. ^ "Michelin to supply tyres for China's first commercial airliner" (Press release). Michelin. 12 April 2011. Archived from the original on 21 April 2017.
  92. ^ Perrett, Bradley; Bruno, Michael (18 October 2018). "Technology For Access To China? Maybe Not". Aviation Week & Space Technology.
  93. ^ "Bloomberg - Comac Steals the Limelight in Singapore With First Peek of C919 Jet". www.bloomberg.com. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  94. ^ "Pratt offers geared turbofan for China's C919 airliner". Flight Global. 5 October 2009. Archived from the original on 21 April 2017. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
  95. ^ David Kaminski-Morrow (21 December 2009). "CFM to build LEAP-X engine in China after C919 deal". Flight Global. Archived from the original on 21 April 2017. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
  96. ^ Freifeld, Karen; Alper, Alexandra (16 February 2020). "U.S. weighs blocking GE engine sales for China's new airplane: sources". Reuters.
  97. ^ Mason, Jeff; Brice, Makini (18 February 2020). "Trump blasts proposed U.S. restrictions on sale of jet parts to China". Reuters. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  98. ^ Qiu, Stella; Freifeld, Karen (7 April 2020). "Exclusive: U.S. grants GE license to sell engines for China's new airplane". Reuters. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  99. ^ "C919 set to fly with imported engines initially". Shanghai Daily. 4 November 2011. Archived from the original on 20 April 2017. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
  100. ^ Stephen Trimble (29 December 2017). "China completes assembly of first high-bypass turbofan engine". Flightglobal. Archived from the original on 2 February 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  101. ^ Mavis Toh (18 May 2018). "C919's local engine alternative powered up". Flight Global. Archived from the original on 2 May 2019. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  102. ^ Ostrower, Jon (24 March 2023). "As congress debates TikTok, China flies its own commercial jet engine". The Air Current.
  103. ^ Yu Dawei and Liang Dongmei (18 December 2012). "Comac C919 Airliner Project Flying in the Dark". Caixin Online. China Aviation Daily. Archived from the original on 29 September 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2017.
  104. ^ Vincent Lamigeon (13 June 2013). "Le vrai prix des avions d'Airbus et de Boeing" (in French). Challenges.fr. Archived from the original on 9 April 2015.
  105. ^ "COMAC C919, against Airbus and Boeing duopoly". Airlineberg. 19 May 2012. Archived from the original on 12 November 2012.
  106. ^ Joe Anselmo (18 July 2013). "China Newspaper Slams Aviation Week For 'Oppressive Scheme". Aviation Week. Archived from the original on 25 October 2016. Retrieved 5 May 2017.
  107. ^ "What C919 means to China jet industry and domestic airlines". EJ Insight. 5 May 2017. Archived from the original on 5 May 2017. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  108. ^ "China's challenger to Airbus and Boeing set for skies at last". Financial Times. 29 April 2017. Archived from the original on 1 May 2017. Retrieved 6 May 2017..
  109. ^ Ben Bland (17 May 2017). "Chinese aviation finally takes off with help from the west". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 10 July 2017. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
  110. ^ Beata Mo (25 July 2023). "China's C919: seat occupancy rate tops 80 per cent, up to 8 more home-grown passenger jets to be delivered in 2023". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  111. ^ "China Eastern Airlines receives second domestically produced C919 airliner for commercial operation". Dimsum Daily. 16 July 2023.
  112. ^ "China Eastern Airlines received 4th C919 jet from Chinese planemaker COMAC". 2 January 2024.
  113. ^ "COMAC C919 production list". rzjets.net. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  114. ^ Hendry, Jonathan (2 January 2024). "China Eastern Enters Its 4th COMAC C919 Into Service". Siimple Flying. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  115. ^ "東航第五架C919大飛機交付入列 (China Eastern's 5th C919 large aircraft delivered and in-service)". wenweipo.com. 2 March 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  116. ^ a b "China expects annual production capacity of C919 planes to reach 150 in 5 years". Reuters. 12 January 2023.
  117. ^ Bradley Perret (16 November 2010). "Hainan, Gecas To Be Among First Customers For C919". Aviation Week. Alt URL
  118. ^ "ICBC Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. signs the agreement of 45 C919 orders with COMAC" (Press release). 19 October 2011. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
  119. ^ Katie Cantle (12 November 2014). "COMAC wins more orders for C919, ARJ21". Air Transport World. Aviation Week. Archived from the original on 21 April 2017. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
  120. ^ "Comac wins commitments for 64 jets". Flight Global. 15 June 2015. Archived from the original on 17 June 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  121. ^ Toh, Mavis (1 November 2016). "Comac wins lessors' orders for 23 C919s". Flight Global. Archived from the original on 21 April 2017. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
  122. ^ Brenda Goh (19 September 2017). "China's COMAC says signs 130 orders for C919 passenger jet". reuters. Archived from the original on 23 September 2017.
  123. ^ "China's ICBC Financial Leasing orders 55 C919 planes". Reuters. 5 December 2017. Archived from the original on 7 December 2017.
  124. ^ "China's HNA, COMAC sign deal for 200 C919, 100 ARJ21 jets Reuters". Reuters. 2 June 2018. Archived from the original on 2 June 2018. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  125. ^ "Brunei's Gallop Air places US$2bil order for China-made C919, ARJ21 jets". 20 September 2023.
  126. ^ "Chinese aircraft maker receives over 1,000 C919 jet orders".
  127. ^ Chen, Chuanren; Flottau, Jens (11 October 2022). "Comac C919 Certified As Arrival of Revamped MC-21 Shifts To 2024". Aviation week & space technology.
  128. ^ Yu, Sophie; Goh, Brenda; Goh, Brenda (28 September 2023). "China Eastern Airlines to buy 100 C919 planes, aircraft's largest ever order". Reuters. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  129. ^ Vinholes, Thiago (21 November 2022). "First series-production C919 emerges in China Eastern Airlines livery". Air Data News. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  130. ^ "東航砸重金買28架國產飛機 C919客機身價曝光". chinatimes. 11 May 2022. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  131. ^ "Lübeck, Germany files for insolvency – again". ch-aviation. 6 October 2015. Archived from the original on 19 October 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2017.
  132. ^ Mavis Toh (12 June 2017). "Long march ahead for China airliner exports". Flight Global. Archived from the original on 12 June 2017. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
  133. ^ Toh, Mavis (16 September 2015). "Thailand's City Airways signs for 10 C919s, 10 ARJ21s". Flight Global. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
  134. ^ COMAC. "C919 Aircraft Characteristics for Airport Planning" (PDF).
  135. ^ "World's first C919 aircraft delivered to China Eastern Airlines__Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd".
  136. ^ Perrett, Bradley (11 February 2020). "COMAC C919 Testing Exceeds Cruise Speed, Reaches Ceiling". Aviation Week. Retrieved 8 June 2023.

External links[edit]