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The Comac C919 Associated Press

China has built this plane to go head-to-head with Boeing and Airbus

All hail the C919.

A CHINESE STATE-OWNED manufacturer has unveiled the first plane produced in the country to compete in the market for large passenger jetliners.

China is one of the biggest aviation markets but relies on Boeing and Airbus aircraft. The multibillion-dollar effort to create the homegrown C919 jetliner is aimed at clawing back some of the commercial benefits that flow to foreign suppliers.

The Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China (Comac) showed off the first of the twin-engine planes in a ceremony attended by some 4,000 government officials and other guests at a hangar near Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport.

“It’s a major push for the country, as they want to be known as a major player” in airplane manufacturing, said Mavis Toh, Asia air transport editor for Flightglobal magazine.

The C919 is one of several initiatives launched by the ruling Communist Party to transform China from the world’s low-cost factory into a creator of profitable technology in aviation, clean energy and other fields.

China New Jetliner Associated Press Associated Press

Head to head

The C919, which can seat up to 168 passengers, is meant to compete in the market for single-aisle jets dominated by the European Airbus’s A320 and the US Boeing’s 737.

Its manufacturer says it has received orders from 21 customers for a total of 517 aircraft, mostly from Chinese carriers but also from GE Capital Aviation Services.

Ryanair signed a design agreement with Comac in 2011 to develop a rival for the A320, which the carrier has shunned for a fleet made up exclusively of 737-800s.

China New Jetliner Associated Press Associated Press

A separate Chinese state-owned company also has developed a smaller regional jet, the ARJ-21, to compete in the market dominated by Brazil’s Embraer and Canada’s Bombardier. The first two ARJ-21s were delivered last year to a Chinese airline.

Most of the C919′s critical systems including engines and avionics are being supplied by Western companies or foreign-Chinese joint ventures.

Boeing forecasts China’s total demand for civilian jetliners over the next two decades at 5,580 planes worth a total of $780 billion (€706 billion).

China’s major airlines are state-owned, which gives the Communist Party a captive pool of potential customers that can be ordered to buy the C919.

China Airshow A mock-up of the plane in 2010 Kin Cheung Kin Cheung

A lot of sense

“China offers a terrific market, superb engineering talent and reasonably low costs. Developing a national aircraft industry makes a lot of sense,” said Richard Aboulafia, vice president for analysis of Teal Group Corp., an industry consultant, in a report in July.

However, the C919 is hampered by official requirements that its manufacturer favor components produced in China, unlike competitors who source parts globally, according to Aboulafia.

This means Western suppliers need to give away technology to play on this jet,” said Aboulafia. “It also means that this aircraft is designed by people whose hands have been tied.”

Hong Kong Asia Air Show Associated Press Associated Press

Development of the C919 began in 2008. Plans called for a first flight in 2014 and for it to enter service in 2016, but those targets were pushed back due to production delays. The C919 now is due to fly next year and enter service in about 2019.

One of the biggest components, the core processing and display system, is being supplied by a joint venture between GE Aviation Systems and AVIC, a state-owned Chinese military contractor.

Other suppliers include Honeywell, Rockwell Collins and Hamilton Sunstrand.

- Additional reporting TheJournal.ie staff 

READ: Extra routes, new bases and a price war: Ryanair reveals its plans for winter >

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    Mute Stephen Doyle
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    Mar 28th 2015, 6:02 PM

    Another tool for the narcissist generation

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    Mute Aidan Kelly
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    Mar 28th 2015, 6:08 PM

    Just because you can’t afford one?

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    Mute L-Plate
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    Mar 28th 2015, 6:10 PM

    I’d say you’re they type to wear sunglasses inside Aidan

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    Mute Aidan Kelly
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    Mar 28th 2015, 6:15 PM

    Sunglasses indoors, par for the course.

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    Mute Celticspirit321
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    Mar 28th 2015, 6:18 PM

    Aidan = D4 Muppet

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    Mute Love Guinness
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    Mar 28th 2015, 6:31 PM

    The app is free, I reckon Stephen could splash out on a free app and as he just posted comments to another smart phone app I am also thinking there is a chance he owns a smart phone.

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    Mute Al Ca
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    Mar 28th 2015, 6:52 PM

    Indeed Love Guinness……but then, Stephens smart phone is most likely smarter than Stephen.

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    Mute Stephen Doyle
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    Mar 28th 2015, 6:59 PM

    Cost more Al Cal

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    Mute Genius
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    Mar 28th 2015, 8:00 PM

    scope me later ya.

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    Mute adrian quinn
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    Mar 29th 2015, 8:17 AM

    You loo like a desperate tool Kelly

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    Mute emperor_vid
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    Mar 28th 2015, 6:08 PM

    Apple are to release there version soon called endoscope…. Although it will likely be a pain in the ads to use

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    Mute Aidan Kelly
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    Mar 28th 2015, 6:16 PM

    They should release endascope too so everyone can see through the eyes of a winner!

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    Mute Liam Long
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    Mar 28th 2015, 6:33 PM

    Eyes of a donkey :-D

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    Mute Al Ca
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    Mar 28th 2015, 6:55 PM

    “They should release endascope too so everyone can see through the eyes of a winner!”

    So…..that’s not a tan you’re sporting.

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    Mute Tordelback
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    Mar 28th 2015, 8:20 PM

    You are by far the most irritating shinnerbot on TheJournal Aidan, congrats.

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    Mute Well Oil beef hooked
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    Mar 28th 2015, 8:32 PM

    They do have one its call an Endoscopy, that when they’ll look in your ass Aidan and to see where your intellect has gone

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    Mute Bigus Diccus
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    Mar 28th 2015, 6:05 PM

    You can see the difference at contrastthemeerkat.com

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    Mute L-Plate
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    Mar 28th 2015, 6:03 PM

    Skype?

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    Mute emeraldninja
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    Mar 28th 2015, 6:08 PM

    Tell them to watch The Hunt for Red October.. that should give ‘em a good intro for periscope.

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    Mute Mark Waldron
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    Mar 28th 2015, 7:25 PM

    Crazy Ivan? Or maybe that’s Crimson Tide.

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    Mute Roomba Roomba
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    Mar 28th 2015, 6:48 PM

    Source: David Guetta

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    Mute Oliver McLoughlin
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    Mar 28th 2015, 8:10 PM

    Ah it’s just the obvious progression for the huge proportion of the online populace that think because they can, they should.
    Most have nothing interesting to say anyway, this is like porn for them.

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    Mute Elias Khoury
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    Mar 29th 2015, 12:05 AM

    Funny enough, I didn’t hear anybody talking about it.

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    Mute John Fairclough
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    Mar 29th 2015, 12:39 AM

    Up Periscope !

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    Mute MATHS ACADEMY
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    Mar 28th 2015, 9:17 PM

    It’s a perfectly designed instantly accessible broadcasting device with massive potential. We’ll be using it with our students. If you’re already with twitter it’s seamless. Is miles ahead if competitors like meerkat etc. Try it! http://www.connemaramathsacademy.com

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    Mute MATHS ACADEMY
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    Mar 28th 2015, 9:18 PM

    Should have said ‘app’ instead of device.

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    Mute Oliver McLoughlin
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    Mar 28th 2015, 9:30 PM

    To what end will this prove useful though?

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    Mute Chief
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    Mar 28th 2015, 10:06 PM

    Have a read of this article, will answer that question http://www.theverge.com/2015/3/26/8296537/explosion-east-village-periscope-live

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