COMAC Photo:CFP

 
China's homegrown C919 has flown more than 50,000 passengers since entering operation in May this year, with the manufacturer of the aircraft considering development of C939, which has now been formally placed in the company's work agenda, the Global Times has learned. 

Currently, there are more than 30 airlines that have purchased C919 aircraft with a cumulative order total of 1,061 planes. 

The C919, currently in commercial operation, has already flown over 50,000 passengers, Yang Yang, an official from the sales department of the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) said at a forum in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan Province on Thursday. 

Customized C919 models are being worked on. In addition to the basic C919 model, the company also plans to develop the C919 extended version, the C919 shortened version, and the C919F freighter in the future. 

In addition, the C929 basic model, C929 freighter, C929 and C939 are also on the firm's development agenda, Global Times has learned. 

China initially formed a product lineage ranging from regional airliners, short- and medium-range narrow-body airliners to medium- and long-range wide-body airliners. 

Among them, the ARJ21 aircraft and C919 with different flight ranges can meet the needs of domestic and short- and medium-distance international routes along the Belt and Road Initiative. 

The ARJ21 aircraft has transported nearly 10 million passengers. In April, the ARJ21 completed its maiden flight in Indonesia, the first overseas flight ever for the model. 

COMAC is also actively promoting the serial development of ARJ21 aircraft, and has carried out the development of derivative models such as business jets or medical aircraft, fire extinguishers, emergency rescue command aircraft, and weather aircraft. 

The C929 aircraft has entered its detailed design stage, Qi Xuefeng, deputy general manager from COMAC said during a recent meeting earlier this month updating stakeholders on the progress on the new aircraft model.

The C929 is the first intercontinental jet passenger aircraft produced in China, and is fitted to hold between 250 to 350 seats, and with a range of 12,000 kilometers.

Global Times