Chinese C919 planned to fly by the end of 2016

After long delays, the made-in-China jet C919 is planned to fly its maiden flight by the end of 2016.

“We are working hard to achieve our maiden voyage by around the end of 2016,” – said Lu Zheng, Deputy Head of Marketing of the Commercial Aircraft Corp of China Ltd (COMAC), the producer company of the aircraft.

Lu confirmed that the plane is undergoing some tests in accordance with international test-flight standards.

China is keen to establish itself as a global supplier of aircraft, competing with Boeing’s 737 and Airbus’ A320. The country also plans to produce a larger wide body plane in a joint venture with Russia.