The Chinese airliner C919 made its first flight outside the country, appearing at an air show in Singapore. It is expected to compete with Airbus and Boeing in the international market.
The narrow-body jet is manufactured by the Commercial Aviation Corporation of China, or COMAC.
According to the Singapore Economic Development Council, representatives of the People’s Republic of China took part in the exhibition for the first time. It is held once every two years.
At the media preview, another commercial aircraft was shown, as well as aerobatics from the South Korean, Indian and Indonesian air force teams.
Chinese authorities have invested heavily to try to weaken Airbus and Boeing’s grip on the global market. COMAC positions itself as an alternative.
China has announced plans to increase production of the C919. The first of four aircraft began flying with China Eastern Airlines last year. For now it is certified only in China.
But last month China’s aviation authority said it would try to get the C919 approved by European Union regulators.
According to Chinese media reports, a COMAC spokesman said in January that the company would invest tens of billions of yuan to expand C919 production capacity over the next three to five years.
