CAAC pushes support for domestic aircraft

(Ecns.cn)--The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) on Monday encouraged the country's aviation enterprises to give top priority to domestically-made airplanes, according to reports on Tuesday.

China's civil aviation authority will provide full support for the development of domestic aircraft, making sure that the design and quality of Chinese planes meet international standards, said Li Jiaxiang, head of the CAAC.

In addition, China will enhance communication with its U.S. and European counterparts to promote domestic aircraft to the international market, added Li.

According to the CAAC, orders for the C919, the country's first large domestic passenger plane, had already exceeded 215, and the manufacturing process for the components of the prototype has begun.

Test flights for the C919 have been scheduled for 2014, and delivery is slated for 2016.