Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) has announced completion of the preliminary design phase of the C919 large commercial airliner and is now entering into the final design definition phase. The C919 programme remains precisely on track for entry into commercial service in 2016.

COMAC is displaying models of the new C919 and the ARJ21 regional aircraft at Asian Aerospace 2011, where it is the largest exhibitor. In addition, COMAC's Chief Financial Officer, Mr Tian Min, will be giving a keynote address at the Asian Aerospace Congress, which has attracted more than 400 air transport industry leaders from all over the world. Senior COMAC executives have also got a packed schedule of meetings with key suppliers, customers and new business prospects at the show.

The COMAC C919 is the first single aisle, medium range airliner developed by the company and offers capacity of 150 seats. At the Zhuhai Airshow in November 2010, COMAC announced orders for 100 C919 airliners aircraft from all three major carriers in China. In December 2010, the Civil Aviation Administration of China officially accepted the application for the C919 type certificate.

During the research of manufacturing processes for the C919 airliner, COMAC has drawn upon the experience of many of the world's leading aerospace companies to support the programme. The company is applying a "Principal Manufacturer – Suppliers" management model and has developed collaboration with both domestic and international aerospace suppliers. These suppliers have been selected to provide aircraft structural components, propulsion systems, other aircraft systems, as well as raw materials / standard parts.

A total of nine local manufacturing enterprises including Chengdu Commercial Aircraft Co and Xian Aircraft Industrial Cooperation have been contracted to supply major structural components for the C919 airliner. A total of 22 domestic and 17 international suppliers, including CFM International and Honeywell, have been selected to provide systems/components to be installed on the C919 airliner.

In 2011, the C919 project will enter the final design definition phase, which will then lay the foundation in 2012 to proceed with airworthiness certification and validation; manufacture of the first prototype; testing, final assembly and flight test. Detailed design will be completed by 2012 to support the first flight in 2014. Type Certification will be accomplished by 2016 followed shortly afterwards by delivery to the first customer.

Established in May 2008, and with its headquarters in Shanghai, COMAC is the lead organization in managing the Large Commercial Aircraft Project, with close adherence to "Principal Manufacturer – Suppliers" procedures. The company's mission is to design & develop, manufacture & assemble and test of commercial aircraft. COMAC is also responsible for marketing and sales, customer services and asset leasing.

COMAC is aiming to become a world-class manufacturer of commercial aircraft, offering the world's airlines safe, economical, comfortable and environmentally friendly modern commercial airliners in the 21st century.