160-seat scale, commercial flight as early as this year... Boeing and Airbus challenge
90-seat ARJ21 passenger aircraft in commercial operation
[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] China’s domestically developed large passenger aircraft 'C919' has successfully completed a super-low temperature test flight.
China's state-run People's Daily reported on the 19th that the C919 passenger aircraft, developed independently by China, completed a 20-day super-low temperature test flight in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
The People's Daily added that the aircraft passed airworthiness tests to meet extreme cold conditions.
Developed by China’s state-owned aircraft manufacturer COMAC, which began development in 2015, this passenger aircraft successfully completed its first test flight in August 2019. During that test flight, inspections were conducted on the integrated avionics system, takeoff and landing functions, and the automatic flight system. In March last year, it also succeeded in a test flight lasting over four hours.
It is known that over 900 units of this aircraft have been ordered, and commercial flights are scheduled to begin this year. The aircraft’s maximum speed is reported to be 963 km/h, with a maximum range of 5,555 km.
Although China describes this aircraft as large-sized, the maximum seating capacity is reported to be between 150 and 160 passengers.
Previously, COMAC delivered the ARJ21, a domestically developed medium-sized passenger aircraft with 80 to 90 seats, to three airlines including Air China and Dongfang Airlines.
China’s Civil Aviation Administration has announced plans to accelerate the development of the aircraft industry by leveraging its domestic aviation market, which boasts the world’s largest passenger demand. Currently, the global passenger aircraft market is dominated by Boeing and Airbus.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
