The first made-in-China commercial passenger jet took to the skies on Friday, as the country begins what will likely be a long journey towards the goal of competing with Boeing and Airbus, reports the Star.
The US- and French- based aircraft manufacturing leaders estimate that China’s airlines will need $1 trillion worth of aircraft by 2024, at which time the country’s travel market will have likely exceeded that of the US.
In addition to winning approval from Chinese authorities, and hopefully those in the US and EU as well, the aircraft will also have to win the trust of consumers.
It will take some time for customers around the world to be comfortable buying Chinese airplanes,” aviation consultancy Endau Analytics analyst Shukor Analytics said. Adding, “it’s not going to happen in the next ten year.”