After 15 years in development, China’s first-ever large homegrown airliner has finally made its maiden commercial flight, in a development that Western rivals Boeing and Airbus are sure to be keeping their eyes on.
Unlike many other heavy industries where China has become a dominant force – such as the auto industry or shipbuilding – China has lagged behind the West when it comes to producing planes, specifically commercial airliners.
That’s all set to change, however, with the locally-produced Comac C919 having finally made its first commercial flight on Sunday.
Produced by the state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (or Comac for short),