China forges new aviation alliances to fast-track C929 certification
Pacts include airworthiness standards for long-haul aircraft, together with Hong Kong and Macau, aiding efforts to expand international operations for Comac’s jets
China’s national aviation regulator has signed new partnership deals with its counterparts in Hong Kong and Macau to accelerate type certification for the country’s widebody airliner, the C929, which is being developed to take on mainstream models from Boeing and Airbus.
Building on the cooperation framework established for the home-grown narrowbody C919, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) and Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department on Thursday outlined a plan to further collaborate on the C929’s certification as well as the expansion of mutual recognition and acceptance of aircraft certification, state media reported.
A dedicated cooperation arrangement on the C929’s safety and airworthiness certification has also been signed.
Specifically, the CAAC will invite technicians from Hong Kong and Macau to take part in its certification process for the C929, whose size and performance may be similar to those of the Boeing 787 and the Airbus A350.
The cooperation will also extend to the management of overseas aircraft maintenance and training bases approved by any of the three authorities. Furthermore, mutual recognition will cover environmental standards, including certification for aviation fuel and related chemical products.
Both the C919 and C929 epitomise China’s strategic imperative to develop and launch indigenous commercial airliners and carve out market share from the long-standing Western duopoly.