COMMERCIAL Aircraft Corp. of China (COMAC) has received inquiries from potential foreign buyers for its in-development C919 model, China’s first large passenger plane, as it seeks to break Boeing Co. and Airbus Group’s stranglehold on the global aircraft market.

    COMAC targets “no fewer than” 30 new orders this year, Dang Tiehong, deputy general manager for sales and marketing, said at the Singapore Airshow yesterday. New orders could come from both Chinese and foreign firms, Dang said.

    Shanghai-based COMAC’s backlog of 400 orders for the 168-seat C919 is mostly from Chinese airlines and lessors. The company delayed the maiden flight of C919 to 2015 from an earlier plan for this year because of procedures that aren’t linked to technical matters, according to Dang.

    “We’re currently meeting with a few customers overseas who show some interest in making future orders,” Dang said. “In terms of the price range for C919, we have a competitive edge over similar models from our rivals.”

    GE Capital Aviation Services is the only confirmed foreign customer for the C919. The General Electric Co. leasing arm has signed on to take 20 of the planes. General Electric will also supply engines for the aircraft through CFM International, a venture with Safran SA.

    COMAC expects to receive certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China, or CAAC, for its ARJ21 regional jet this year, Tian Min, the company’s chief financial officer, said at the airshow yesterday.

    Approval for the ARJ21 is taking longer than expected because it is the first time that COMAC has built a jet plane and the first time that the Chinese aviation regulator has had to certify one.

    (SD-Agencies)