Airlines

First C919 jet to be delivered to China Eastern Airlines in December

First C919 wearing China Eastern Airlines livery

According to a meeting report from the airline, the first C919 big passenger aircraft, China’s domestic long-distance transport jet will be delivered to China Eastern Airlines in December. The memo, which was made public on Monday, stated that the company will be in charge of flying the first C919 and would do its best to provide a safe and enjoyable flight.

The first COMAC C919 enters service with China Eastern Airlines. @RupprechtDeino

(Images via @航旅圈 from Weibo) pic.twitter.com/Ph4ouVwPj6

— Aviator Anil Chopra (@Chopsyturvey) October 27, 2022

COMAC C919 Successfully Completes Flight Tests(Opens in a new browser tab)

On September 29, the C919 received its airworthiness certification from the authorities. The airliner marks a significant turning point in the nation’s decades-long quest to produce civil aircraft that are domestically designed and built to compete with medium-range passenger aircraft like the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737.

Shanghai-based One of the three state-owned, “backbone” airlines is China Eastern Airlines, which is listed in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and New York. As of late 2021, it had more over 760 aircraft.

China certifies C919 jet to compete with Airbus and Boeing(Opens in a new browser tab)

The airline firm has stated that the new aircraft would be utilised on routes from Shanghai to Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Chengdu.

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Airlines

Sanctions & Engine Issues Ground Half of Russia’s A320neo fleet

Russia’s aviation sector, already strained by Western sanctions, faces another setback as nearly half of its Airbus A320neo family aircraft are grounded due to unresolved engine issues.

This development highlights the growing challenges for russia commercial aircraft in maintaining their fleets under the weight of global restrictions and limited access to spare parts.

Out of the 66 Airbus A320neo and A321neo jets in Russia, 34 are now out of service, according to the Kommersant business newspaper. These planes are powered by engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation.

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The engines are affected by a previously identified defect in the metal used for certain parts, prompting accelerated inspections and maintenance.

Sanctions have compounded the issue, blocking the supply of essential components from major manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus. Without proper maintenance, experts warn that these aircraft may face decommissioning as early as 2026.

COMAC Unveils Plans for the C929 to Rival Airbus and Boeing

Airlines like S7, which operates a significant portion of these grounded jets, plan to conserve the engines for future use during peak travel seasons. However, reports suggest that over 20 of S7’s Airbus planes have engines that have already reached the end of their operational lifespan. Recently, russia seeks assistance from kazakhstan’s airlines to bolster its domestic flights.

While some A320neo and A321neo planes in Russia are equipped with French-made LEAP engines, which are seen as less problematic, the challenges remain daunting.

The situation underscores the long-term impact of sanctions on Russia’s aviation sector and the increasing difficulties in keeping its modern fleets operational.