Chinese aircraft manufacturer Comac will start delivering its C-919 narrow-body aircraft in 2022. The Dragon manufacturer previously announced that the first delivery of six aircraft destined for China Eastern Airlines was to take place by the end of 2021. However, in January the company adjusted its focus, stating that the aircraft are "undergoing test flights at various locations around the country".

It was revealed in these hours by the company's deputy general manager, Wu Yongliang, on the sidelines of a political meeting. The announcement was picked up by Shanghai's "The Paper" newspaper, which quotes him as saying that the aircraft is still undergoing certification by the Civil Aviation Administration of China. The manufacturer made it known that it currently has orders for more than 300 examples. 

The C-919 is China's most important aircraft program. However, according to some American analysts it is still heavily dependent on Western technologies: for example the two Leap-1C thrusters are supplied by the US-based company Cfm International. Moreover, despite its ambition to compete against the European A-320 and American B-737, experts say the C-919 risks losing several "certification and production targets" due to Washington's strict export rules.