Domestically developed C919 aircraft expected to make commercial flights within 2022: expert

VariFlight Pro App shows two C919 test planes fly from Shanghai Pudong International Airport to Beijing Capital International Airport, Sept 13, 2022.

(ECNS) -- China Eastern Airlines in its half-year report for 2022 predicts that a domestically developed C919 airplane will be delivered to its buyer and is expected to make commercial flights within 2022, according to Chinese civil aviation expert Li Hanming.

VariFlight Pro App shows that two C919 test planes flew from Shanghai Pudong International Airport to Beijing Capital International Airport on Tuesday.

C919 test planes have conducted frequent flights at several domestic airports since July 2022, with departure, landing, functions testing and other missions completed.

On Aug.1, 2022, the Commercial Aircraft Corp of China announced that the C919 had completed all test flights before obtaining a certificate.

"The C919 will be delivered by COMAC in line with contracts after obtaining the airworthiness certificate,” said Qi Qi, an expert in civil aviation.

The C919, China's first self-developed trunk jetliner, is fitted with 158-168 seats, with a range of 4,075 to 5,555 kilometers. The plane was off the assembly line in 2015 and conducted a successful maiden flight in 2017.

Twenty-eight clients have signed purchase contracts for 815 C919 airplanes.