China’s future aircraft – The C919

Boeing’s Jim Albaugh hinted at a press conference on the Monday of last week’s Paris Air Show that something was up regarding the Chinese and their C919 project.  On the Wednesday morning it was Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary, not a Le Bourget regular, who stole the headlines. 

In what is a typical O’Leary cost nothing (or maybe he is being paid) mission Ryanair is ‘advising’ the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) on its C919 project, a direct competitor to the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320.  O’Leary has been hinting that he needs new ‘planes for later on in the decade.  A Boeing patron of long standing, noises towards Airbus have always seemed questionable.  As a lead customer for the C919 Ryanair and its high intensity operation does seem problematic, but you never know.  A more likely scenario is O’Leary taking the last of the 737s at heavily discounted prices.

Tucked away in Hall 5 the C919 cabin/cockpit mock-up was most impressive, nearly one foot wider than the A320, 18” more than the 737 and certainly up to western standards in terms of presentation.  COMAC also had a discreet chalet where, on its upper floor, it was able to hide away for discussion the essential people required for the project including those involved in finance and legislation. http://english.comac.cc

Index/Home page
 

OUR READERS' FINEST WORDS (All times and dates are GMT)

All comments are filtered to exclude any excesses but the Editor does not have to agree with what is being said. 100 words maximum