China, US companies plan to develop 190-seat jetliner

The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China and the Alcoa Incorporation of the United States have agreed on a deal to develop a commercial jetliner that would compete in the international aviation market.

The U.S.-based aluminum giant said it agreed with the Commercial Aircraft Corp to work on the C919 aircraft, which will be the largest passenger jet to be built in China. The companies are "examining advanced aluminum structural concepts, designs and alloys" that will be used to build the 190-seat plane, Alcoa said in a statement.

China hopes the narrow-body, single-aisle C919 will boost its fledgling aviation industry and help it compete with Western rivals such as Boeing and Airbus. Chinese officials claim the C919 will be cheaper for airlines to operate and use 12 percent to 15 percent less fuel than comparable jetliners.

The Chinese company plans to fly the plane for the first time in 2014 before delivering it to buyers in 2016. The aircraft will be assembled in Shanghai, but parts will be made by suppliers worldwide.

People's Daily Online