On June 19th, 2017, the 52nd Paris Air Show opens in France. It is the fourth time for the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC) to attend the event. While displaying the C919 and ARJ21, the interior layout of China-Russia long range wide-body commercial aircraft cabin is revealed for the first time. As the module displays, the wide-body aircraft owns the three-class layout, with 280 seats. It symbolizes that COMAC's product now covers fields of the regional jet, single-aisle and twin-aisle aircraft. During the air show, COMAC plans to hold a marketing event, popularizing its three products among potential customers as well.
C919 made its maiden flight successfully in Shanghai on May 5th. On June 13th in Beijing, Everbright Financial Leasing signed agreement for ordering 30 C919 aircrafts with COMAC, bringing the total orders of C919 to 600 from 24 customers. In April, 2017, European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) accepted the application for type certification (TC) of C919. At present, COMAC is scheduled to produce 6 C919s for flight test, the second of which will be rolled out in this year.
Chengdu Airlines has put ARJ21 into service since last June, flying from Chengdu to Shanghai, via Changsha. During this year, improvement to ARJ21 is still undergoing, such as equipping in-flight entertainment system, satellite communications systems and optimizing the cabin. A total of 413 orders have been obtained from 19 customers. According to the plan, COMAC plans to deliver more than 5 ARJ21 aircrafts to customers in this year.
China-Russia Commercial Aircraft International Co., Ltd. (CRAIC), jointly contributed by COMAC and United Aircraft Corporation of Russia (UAC), was established in Shanghai on May 22nd, 2017. CRAIC is devoted to developing the new-generation wide-body commercial aircraft. At present, both sides have confirmed the basic range of 12000 km and 280 seats for typical three-class layout of the aircraft. Owing to the advanced aerodynamics design, extensive application of composite material and equipping new engines, the direct operation cost is decreased by 10%, comparing to similar aircrafts which are currently in service. Initial design of the program is about to start in the near future, so as to system and equipment suppliers consulting process.
Since its establishment in 2008, COMAC has continuously consolidated its core capabilities such as civil aircraft design, research and development, final assembly, customer service, airworthiness, supplier management and marketing. Civil aircraft technology innovation system has been built up during the time. With ARJ21's entering into service, successful maiden flight of C919 and establishment of CRAIC, COMAC has entered a critical phase with multiple tasks, which is characterized with opportunities and challenges at the same time.