Air China and COMAC signed the first user framework agreement for C929 passenger aircraft
China’s leading airline Air China and state-owned aircraft manufacturer Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China Co., Ltd. (COMAC) signed a framework agreement for the first user of the C929 passenger aircraft, intending to become the world’s first user of the C929 wide-body passenger aircraft.
Designed to challenge the Airbus-Boeing duopoly on long international hauls, the C929 wide-body passenger aircraft has a seating capacity of 280 and a range of 12,000 kilometres.
China’s first homemade wide-body aircraft, the C929 will use composite materials for more than half of its structure. The CR929 program, initially a joint development between Russia and China, underwent a name change to C929 after Russia’s withdrawal.
Air China has long been committed to supporting the development of domestically produced large aircraft. Earlier this year, Air China took delivery of its first C919 aircraft, the narrow-body airliner designed to operate domestic routes, creating the first aircraft to fly with the national flag. It made its first commercial flight and has successfully flown the Beijing-Shanghai and Beijing-Hangzhou routes.
Cover photo: COMAC
