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COMAC lands deal with GE

General Electric Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS) has commissioned the subsidized Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) for the manufacture and delivery of five ARJ21 civilian jets.

The deal was finalized during the Zhuhai Air Show in Southern China. It represented more than USD$750 for GECAS. This marks the company’s first major overseas investment to develop a Chinese plane. 

“It is the first time that an aircraft that is researched and developed by China is sold to the United States, such a high-end market,” said Zhang Qingwei, COMAC Chairman. Qingwei adds, “Also, during the process of implementing this contract we will be able to greatly improve ourselves in terms of mass production, customer service and industry awareness.”

“We have confidence and belief in this airplane,” commented Margaret Lee, GE’s GM for government relations. Lee estimated that the aircraft would cost around USD$30 million, after full development. She hopes that the plane will gain flight certifications from US and Chinese aviation authorities by 2010.

The first test flight of the ARJ21 is scheduled on November 16 at Shanghai.