After that, COMAC will need to complete additional test flights and train pilots and crew to use the aircraft, a process that could extend COMAC’s official C919 launch into 2023 or 2024. government banned tech exports to COMAC due to the firm’s alleged military ties.Ĭompleting the C919 test flights is a positive sign for COMAC, but it may be another year or more before passengers strap into C919 seats.ĬOMAC expects China’s government to certify the C919 jet later this year, according to Chinese state media. manufacturers like Honeywell to import critical components for the C919 aircraft. Last year, C919’s launch was postponed again as COMAC struggled to import parts. The first C919 prototype took flight in May 2017, but testing issues plagued the manufacturer and COMAC pushed the launch date back to 2021. But China’s lack of technical equipment, parts, and expertise for plane making slowed development. It wanted to get the jet flying by 2014 and commercialize the plane by 2016. COMAC C919 launch date delaysĬhina’s government initially launched the C919 development program in 2008.

But COMAC has struggled to deliver on the C919 jet-a narrow-body, medium-range airliner similar to the Airbus A320 or Boeing 737 Max- after years of delays. Some analysts refer to the C919 as China’s “divorce jet” because it represents China’s hopes to use the aircraft to lessen the country’s dependence on Boeing and Airbus. airplane maker Boeing and European maker Airbus.

“This is a crucial phased victory in the development of the C919 jet,” COMAC said in the statement.ĬOMAC, a state-run aerospace manufacturer, has long had ambitions of challenging U.S.

Take as needed in chinese