Air China has signed an agreement with Comac to become the launch customer for the latter’s C929 widebody programme, marking a new milestone for the in-development programme.
Comac, which disclosed the deal during the ongoing Airshow China in Zhuhai, does not specify how many aircraft the airline will take. The airframer also does not indicate when the first delivery is expected.
Comac says the C929 is currently in its preliminary design stage, adding that the aircraft can seat about 280 passengers with a range of around 12,000km. Reports earlier this year indicate that work to build a prototype is underway, and a Comac supplier said it aimed to deliver the first C929 fuselage section in 2027.
The C929 was renamed from the CR929 in 2023 after joint-venture partner Russia pulled out from the programme. Comac envisages the aircraft to compete against Airbus and Boeing widebodies, including the A330, A350 and 787.
