China’s first domestically developed large passenger jet, the C919, is currently undergoing a series of test flights before becoming available for public use in 2021 as planned, said an expert at a summit on May 7.

The passenger jet, which made its maiden flight in 2017, is currently going through a number of test flights, Yang Zhigang, chief designer with Beijing Aeronautical Science & Technology Re-search Institute (BASTRI), said at the China Medium & Large Aircraft Development Summit 2018 recently held in northwest China’s Shaanxi Province.

Yang noted that the C919 is expected to gain the Chinese airworthiness certification and be deliv-ered to its customers in 2021 as planned.

In addition, the designer revealed that the Sino-Russian designed long haul, wide-bodied and two-aisle airliner CR929, based on research of the C919, has now entered the preliminary design phase and is expected to make its first flight in around 2025.

The designer admitted that there is still a big gap between China and its foreign competitors in developing civil aircrafts.

However, the C919’s involvement in the international aviation industry will not only help up-grade China’s manufacturing capabilities, but also push for the progress of its competitors, Yang added.