China airline receives 1st domestic long-range jet

A Chinese airline on Friday became the first customer to take delivery of a long-range jetliner produced by a state-owned manufacturer. The Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China's C919 is part of the ruling Communist Party's efforts to transform the country into a creator of profitable technologies and reduce reliance on foreign products.

The model delivered to China Eastern Airlines Ltd, one of China’s four major carriers, seats 164 passengers, China Central Television reported. It gave no details of where it would be operated. The plane made its first flight in May 2017. Last month, COMAC announced 300 orders for the C919 from Chinese leasing companies.