THE maker of China s C919 passenger jet aimed to sell 2,000 of the planes by 2030, mounting a challenge to U.S. aerospace giant Boeing Co. and rival Airbus, an executive was quoted as saying Saturday.
The Xinhua news agency quoted Wu Guanghui, vice general manager of the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), as saying the company expected to sell that number of its C919 jets over the next 20 years.
The company had already received orders for 100 C919s, with more in the pipeline for this year, Xinhua quoted Wu, the jet s chief designer, as saying.
The COMAC said earlier it had taken the first 100 orders from six companies, including Air China, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines and General Electric s leasing arm.
The COMAC unveiled plans for the 200-seat C919 in late 2009, saying it would make its maiden voyage in 2014 and start being delivered to customers in 2016.
Wu confirmed that timeline Saturday, Xinhua said.
We must ensure both technological and commercial success of C919, said Wu. He said it was more difficult to sell the jets than making them.
The key is whether passengers would like our jets. As we have fully taken this into consideration when designing it, I m confident we will not disappoint the market, he said.
(SD-Agencies)
