China’s state-owned planemaker intends to supersize its flagship jet through a partnership with a major domestic carrier to meet rising market demand for bigger narrowbody types, according to sources.
The Commercial Aircraft Corp of China (Comac) signed an agreement with China Eastern Airlines last week to deepen cooperation, including on a stretched variant of the single-aisle C919 that would be able to seat at least 200 passengers, the Post has learned.
The deal positions China Eastern, the C919’s launch customer, to play a key role in the development, certification and trials of the new model, which is likely to be designated the C919-800, one of the sources said.
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The current baseline version of the C919 can seat 158-192 people. Comac has not yet announced a timeline for the extended version’s certification or entry into service.
Jason Zheng, an analyst with Shanghai-based aviation consultancy Airwefly, said Comac’s move to team up with airline partners will enhance the C919’s appeal and marketability.
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“China Eastern has over two years of experience flying the standard C919, and its feedback from day-to-day use will be valuable to optimise the design of the stretched model,” he said. “Once China Eastern has a say on how to enhance the design, the carrier may be more likely to place new orders.”