2023-11-29 06:00:00
Chinese society Comac revealed lengthened and shortened variants of its narrow-body aircraft C919which, according to the manufacturer, aim to meet various operational requirements in and around China.
Baptized C919 Stretched Variant et C919 Shortened/Plateau Variantthe two concepts were unveiled at the International Commercial Aviation Show and aerospace industry of Shanghai. Resizing its standard narrow body to create a family of aircraft meeting different airline requirements would replicate the concepts that made Airbus’ A320 family and Boeing’s 737 MAX so successful.
Three versions are now expected to coexist within the family. THE C919 standard delivered to the launch company China Eastern Airlines has 164 seats divided into business and economy cabins. The extended variant of the C919, which “ conforms to the trend of large-scale development of single-aisle aircraft market” according to Comac, will accommodate 210 passengers in a two-class configuration. The shortened configuration provides take-off and landing performance to cover all Chinese airports at haute altitude and can accommodate 140 passengers. Comac adds that it has “good potential” for other derivative products.
The Chinese aircraft manufacturer did not make predictions on the progress of the studies. That said, the C919 program is progressing slowly. For a program launched in 2008, production began in December 2011, with the first prototype being deployed in November 2015. It made its maiden flight on May 5, 2017. The first aircraft was delivered in December 2022 for a first commercial flight in May. 2023. Currently only two aircraft have been delivered, both to China Eastern Airlines. Its order book stands at nearly 700 copies to date (+120 optional).
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