China's home-grown C919 passenger jet is set to take to the skies on its long-delayed maiden flight on Friday, a major step for Beijing as it looks to boost its profile in the global aviation market.
The narrow-body aircraft, which will compete with Boeing's 737 and the Airbus A320, is a key symbol of China's ambitions to muscle into a global jet market estimated to be worth $2 trillion over the next 20 years.
The jet will take to the skies at the Shanghai Pudong International Airport on China's affluent east coast, at a ceremony expected to be broadcast live on state TV.
The C919, made by state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) [CMAFC.UL], has seen its test flight pushed back at least twice since 2014 due to production issues, underlining the scale of the task facing Beijing.
"The significance is huge, it's the first ever large-frame aircraft made in China," said Xiong Yuexi, a professor and plane design expert at Beihang University in Beijing.
"It has a great impact for the Chinese people and the domestic market."
China first gave the world a glimpse of the plane, which will be able to carry 158-168 passengers, in November 2015 when it rolled it out at a ceremony in Shanghai. For a FACTBOX on the C919, click
Analysts, however, say the production delays mean the C919 will lag technologically behind improved versions of the A320 and 737 which will enter service in the next two years. China Eastern Airlines is the launch customer for the plane, which COMAC says has 570 orders from 23 customers.
The plane also relies on an array of overseas technology, with CFM International, a joint venture between General Electric's aerospace arm and a unit of French firm Safran, supplying the engines.
Others include Honeywell International Inc, United Technologies Corp subsidiary Goodrich, Rockwell Collins Inc and a unit of Parker-Hannifin Corp.
Conceived in 2008, China wants the C919 to eventually take market share from Boeing and Airbus in the lucrative narrow-body market which accounts for more than 50 percent of the aircraft in service worldwide. For a TIMELINE on the C919, click
However, the jet likely faces a lengthy journey from first flight to commercial usage.
China's first home-made jet, the regional ARJ-21, received its type certification in December 2014, six years after its first flight and more than 12 years after it was conceived. It made its maiden passenger flight in June last year.
Then there is also the daunting task of selling the jet in a global market dominated by Boeing and Airbus.
"Aviation is a complex market and you need experience over a long time. Boeing has 100 years, Airbus has over 40 years," said Sinolink Securities analyst Si Jingzhe, adding COMAC still lagged far behind in terms of supply chain know-how.
China is pushing for recognition globally of its certification by European and U.S. regulators. Without their certification, China would only be able to sell the jet to a handful of countries that accept its certification standards.
Beijing is also already looking beyond the C919, with plans to develop a wide-body long-haul jet with Russia. In November COMAC and its partner United Aircraft Corp said they have started the hunt to find suppliers.
Reuters
Fri May 05 2017
![C919 jet set for maiden flight, in test of China's aviation ambitions C919 jet set for maiden flight, in test of China's aviation ambitions](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2017-05/71493956632_CommercialAircraft.jpg)
The first C919 passenger jet made by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) is seen during a test in Shanghai, China April 16, 2017. -Reuters
10 Berita Pilihan - (16 Julai 2024
Antara pelbagai berita dalam dan luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
PAC beri tempoh tiga bulan kepada HRD Corp
Jawatankuasa Kira-kira Wang Negara (PAC) memberi tempoh tiga bulan kepada Perbadanan Pembangunan Sumber Manusia (HRD Corp) untuk mengemukakan laporan tindakan susulan terhadap syor jawatankuasa itu.
Kylian Mbappe tandatangan kontrak dengan Real Madrid
Bintang bola sepak Perancis Kylian Mbappe menandatangani kontrak selama lima tahun dengan kelab Sepanyol Real Madrid pada Selasa.
Pelepasan ketujuh air sisa nuklear Fukushima ke laut selesai
Jepun telah menyelesaikan pusingan ketujuh pelepasan air sisa radioaktif yang dirawat dari loji kuasa nuklear Fukushima Daiichi ke Lautan Pasifik pada Selasa.
Empat termasuk kapten maut dalam pertempuran
Empat anggota tentera India termasuk kapten meninggal dunia akibat kecederaan selepas pertempuuran pada malam isnin di Hutan Desa.
Pakistan sahkan 4 warganya terbunuh di Oman
Pakistan berkata pada Selasa empat warganya terbunuh dalam insiden tembakan pada malam Isnin berhampiran ibu negara Oman, Muscat.
Lima terbunuh, puluhan cedera dalam protes antikuota di Bangladesh
Sekurang-kurangnya empat orang terbunuh dan puluhan lagi cedera dalam pertempuran antara pelajar yang memprotes sistem kuota dalam pekerjaan sektor awam dan polis di pelbagai bahagian Bangladesh pada Selasa.
Kerajaan cadang perkenal pembiayaan swasta
Kerajaan menyasarkan untuk memperkenalkan pembiayaan swasta alternatif bagi memastikan kemampanan kewangan program sektor air, sekali gus mengurangkan kebergantungan pada perbelanjaan kerajaan dan mengukuhkan daya tahan.
Saya tak fitnah Guan Eng, cuma jelaskan siasatan SPRM - Muhyiddin
Presiden Bersatu Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin memberitahu Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur hari ini bahawa beliau tidak memfitnah Lim Guan Eng berhubung isu pengecualian cukai terhadap Yayasan Albukhary
KPT alu-alukan dapatan, cadangan PAC - Zambry
Ini termasuklah cadangan pelaksanaan Garis Panduan Pelaburan dan Pembiayaan oleh Universiti Awam 2024 kepada anak-anak syarikat di bawah seliaan Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi (KPT).
![CAAM cadang pindaan Peraturan-Peraturan Penerbangan Awam 2016 untuk rancakkan industri dron CAAM cadang pindaan Peraturan-Peraturan Penerbangan Awam 2016 untuk rancakkan industri dron](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-08/81661328916_TBWEEKASIONGjpg.jpg)
CAAM cadang pindaan Peraturan-Peraturan Penerbangan Awam 2016 untuk rancakkan industri dron
Namun jelasnya penggunaanya juga berupaya mendedahkan risiko-risiko tertentu terhadap pengguna termasuk media seperti isu keselamatan dan pencabulan privasi.
![MAB, SHUT berganding banteras aktiviti pemerdagangan manusia MAB, SHUT berganding banteras aktiviti pemerdagangan manusia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-08/71659519631_TBMABSHUTMAS.jpg)
MAB, SHUT berganding banteras aktiviti pemerdagangan manusia
MoU itu antara lain bertujuan untuk memberikan penerangan mengenai isu kritikal yang melanda sektor penerbangan negara.
![Pengendali belon udara panas maut jatuh dari ketinggian 30 kaki Pengendali belon udara panas maut jatuh dari ketinggian 30 kaki](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-10/81602123865_hotairballoon.jpg)
Pengendali belon udara panas maut jatuh dari ketinggian 30 kaki
Seorang pengendali belon udara panas yang maut kerana jatuh terjatuh dari ketinggian kira-kira 30 kaki pada hari pertama dia bekerja di Youyi Manor, dekat bandar Zhuzhou, China.
![Podcast Realiti Rakyat: Westar Aviation utamakan keselamatan pekerja pelantar minyak di luar pesisir Podcast Realiti Rakyat: Westar Aviation utamakan keselamatan pekerja pelantar minyak di luar pesisir](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2020-04/51586582877_realitirakyat.jpg)
Podcast Realiti Rakyat: Westar Aviation utamakan keselamatan pekerja pelantar minyak di luar pesisir
Paparan realiti kehidupan rakyat berdepan dengan norma baharu kehidupan ketika menghadapi pandemik COVID-19.
![Malaysia Airlines lancar perkhidmatan sewa khas haji dan umrah Malaysia Airlines lancar perkhidmatan sewa khas haji dan umrah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-02/41550363932_MABMalaysiaairlin.jpg)
Malaysia Airlines lancar perkhidmatan sewa khas haji dan umrah
Sebelum ini, Kapten Izham telah menyatakan bahawa Amal akan dilancarkan selewat-lewatnya suku pertama tahun 2019. Amal adalah perkhidmatan yang pertama di dunia yang menawarkan perkhidmatan ini.
![I was pressured by Prime Minister's Office - Tony Fernandes I was pressured by Prime Minister's Office - Tony Fernandes](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2018-05/81526200297_Tonyfernandes.jpg)
I was pressured by Prime Minister's Office - Tony Fernandes
As Tan Sri Rafidah impact and popularity grew, the pressure grew exponentially. It was getting harder and harder to resist the pressure from the Prime Minister's Office.
![Ryanair tells pilots it 'grew too fast': Irish Independent Ryanair tells pilots it 'grew too fast': Irish Independent](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2017-12/61513733406_Ryanairflight.jpg)
Ryanair tells pilots it 'grew too fast': Irish Independent
Ryanair shares have fallen over 10 percent since it announced on Friday it would recognize trade unions for the first time.
![Boeing umum pemimpin kanan baharu, lancar perniagaan perkhidmatan bersepadu Boeing umum pemimpin kanan baharu, lancar perniagaan perkhidmatan bersepadu](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2016-01/41454134120_Boeing.jpg)
Boeing umum pemimpin kanan baharu, lancar perniagaan perkhidmatan bersepadu
Boeing berkata Kevin G. McAllister akan menggantikan Naib Pengerusi syarikat itu, Ray Conner.
![MH370: Menjelang 400 hari, tiada bendera putih daripada pasukan pencari MH370: Menjelang 400 hari, tiada bendera putih daripada pasukan pencari](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2015-04/71429177676_295x200.jpg)
MH370: Menjelang 400 hari, tiada bendera putih daripada pasukan pencari
Usaha memperluas kawasan pencarian di Lautan Hindi membuktikan Malaysia dan pasukan pencari tidak akan mengangkat bendera putih dalam mendapatkan apa jua petunjuk keberadaan pesawat MH370.
![Pengalaman Jagjit mengendali Sidang Media MH370 Pengalaman Jagjit mengendali Sidang Media MH370](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2014-04/61396881941_295x200.jpg)
Pengalaman Jagjit mengendali Sidang Media MH370
Menjadi moderator mengendalikan sidang media tragedi MH370 yang dihadiri kira-kira 600 wakil media tempatan dan asing merupakan satu cabaran yang terbesar.