China Eastern Airlines completes first COMAC C919 engine swap

China Eastern Airlines has completed the engine replacement on the world’s first delivered COMAC C919 aircraft.

The first C919 engine replacement was conducted on the aircraft registered as B-919A, which has been in operation for 2.5 years, according to the Planespotters.com registry. The replacement was part of procedural tests aimed at verifying the feasibility of the engine replacement protocol and further optimizing the engine replacement process.

Over the nine-day maintenance period, airline engineers completed 60 routine tasks and more than 10 non-routine tasks, including tests to ensure the aircraft’s reliability and safety, as reported by CGTN.

The successful engine replacement on the C919 signifies an important step in bolstering the operational and maintenance capabilities of Chinese airlines operating domestically manufactured aircraft. As commercial deliveries rise, airlines are experiencing a growing need for regular maintenance and servicing of the C919 jet.

China Eastern Airlines, the launch customer for the homegrown C919, is one of three carriers operating this aircraft model, alongside the national flag carrier Air China and China Southern Airlines. Shanghai-based China Eastern introduced the first C919 to its fleet on December 8, 2022, and now operates a total of eight C919s on commercial routes linking Shanghai with Beijing, Chengdu, Xi’an, and other cities.

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In a nearly $10 billion deal with COMAC, China Eastern Airlines plans to expand its fleet of C919 jets gradually. Under the agreement signed in September 2023, the carrier anticipates receiving up to ten C919s annually between 2025 and 2027. This delivery rate is expected to increase to 15 aircraft per year from 2028 to 2030, ultimately reaching a peak of 20 C919s in 2031.

In comparison, both Air China and China Southern Airlines have received one C919 each, with outstanding orders for an additional 99 and 104 aircraft, respectively.

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Designed as China’s entry into the narrow-body jet market, the C919 is primarily seen as a rival to the Airbus A320neo and the Boeing 737 MAX series. Like the A320neo and 737 MAX, the C919 is designed for short- to medium-haul routes and aims to offer comparable fuel efficiency, passenger capacity, and operating costs.The post China Eastern Airlines completes first COMAC C919 engine swap appeared first on AeroTime.

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