Michelin has been chosen to develop and supply tyres for the Comac C919, the first commercial airliner designed in China. The contract grew out of an alliance created in November 2009 with Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China. This is the first time that Michelin will provide tyres for a Chinese airliner.

A pioneer in radial aircraft tyres since 1981, the Group will supply the Comac C919 with its Michelin Air X radial tyre.

To comply with Comac's requirements and selection process, Michelin had to meet a host of challenges. These included respecting a tight development schedule, helping to lower aircraft operating costs, providing technical assistance in China and increasing production capacity in Asia.

The airliner's first flight is expected to take place in 2014 and its entry into service is scheduled for 2016. Positioned in the single-aisle segment with 150 to 200 seats, the plane will initially target China's domestic market.

With three aircraft tyre plants, several product development centres, and technical and sales teams in all regions, the Michelin Group is a major player in the global aircraft manufacturing industry and has been making a significant contribution to advances in aviation for more than 100 years.