Comac C919 To Fly Out Of Mainland Chin

Comac is readying for its C919 to operate its first flight out of mainland China with China Eastern Airlines.

The first service, a charter flight between Shanghai and Hong Kong, is expected to take place on June 1.

Chian Eastern Airlines says the service will be operated as part of a larger project to carry students between the two locations, and it is an important step for the aircraft.

The carrier, which has taken on the C919 as an important step in the next fleet era, hopes to grow its commitment from six units to more than 100 eventually. With that strong commitment, the airline knows it must expand its Comac C919 usage away from mainland China, where it has been restricted.

Moreover, expanding the destinations the C919 can visit will be important in Comac’s competing strategy with Airbus and Boeing. The manufacturer has pitted its aircraft portfolio, including the C919, against the leading American and European manufacturers.

However, concerns about Comac’s ability to compete with the leading alternatives, the A320neo and the 737 MAX, have been raised. Furthermore, restrictions on certification have meant that the aircraft hasn’t quite made the splash outside of China as hoped for.

China Eastern, however, hopes to be a pioneer in using the C919, continuing to showcase its operational efficiency and competitive edge. In the future, China Eastern has made it clear it’ll look to fly the Comac C919 further and better.

By year’s end, the airline will aim to have 10 COMAC jets in its fleet. There is such a demand for new aircraft that overall fleet renewal forecasts estimate a need for almost 10,000 new passenger jets in the next two decades.

These substantial requirements mean COMAC believes it’ll be able to capture a significant amount of this. However, as stated, its objective will be also to claim more markets away from China.