CMB Financial Leasing has inked a memorandum of understanding with Comac for 30 C919 narrowbody aircraft.
The agreement was signed at Airshow China in Zhuhai on 11 November, and brings the total number of commitments for the in-development programme to 430 aircraft.
CMB Financial Leasing’s president Guo Guang says developing a narrowbody aircraft is a "Chinese dream", and that the firm has a duty to support the country’s civil aviation industry.
Comac's chief financial officer Tian Min says CMB Financial Leasing’s commitment is a “vote of trust” for the C919 programme, and that the manufacturer will strive to provide a safe, economical and comfortable commercial aircraft.
Flightglobal’s Ascend Fleets database shows that CMB Financial Leasing has a fleet of 20 aircraft, the majority of which are Airbus A320 family and Boeing 737 jets. The wholly-owned subsidiary of China Merchants Bank started operations in 2008.
Comac started final assembly of the first C919 prototype in September, and is working towards an end 2015 first flight target for the aircraft. The C919 has largely been sold to Chinese airlines and leasing companies.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
