Comac Sells More C919s, Signs Liebherr as Partner
Liebherr Aerospace is to provide landing gear and air conditioning packs for China’s new C919 twinjet, for which Comac signed 50 more commitments at Airshow China 2012. (Photo: Amy Laboda)

Comac has received 50 more commitments for its new C919 narrowbody airliner. Three contracts announced on the first day of Airshow China 2012 in Zhuhai call for 20 each of the twinjet to go to Chinese carriers Joy Air and Hebei Aviation, with 10 more signed for by leasing group Gecas. But the first flight of the C919 now seems likely to be pushed back again due to a new delay with Comac’s ARJ21 regional airliner development. The state-backed Chinese airframer had scheduled a first flight for the C919 for 2014, with deliveries to start in 2016. It now claims to have orders for 380 of the aircraft. However, Comac was able to announce a new partnership with Germany-based Liebherr Aerospace, which is to supply landing gear and air conditioning packs for the C919.