(Yicai Global) March 2 -- China Eastern Airlines has secured the first five domestically developed C919 passenger jets.

The Shanghai-based aviation firm expects to receive the narrow-body airliners developed by Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China by December, China Central Television reported yesterday, citing the deal.

COMAC began developing C919 in 2008 and the large passenger plane already meets the international airworthiness standards. The Shanghai-headquartered firm has reportedly received over 1,000 non-binding bookings for the airliner that has a range of up to 5,555 kilometers and as many as 168 seats.

The short- and medium-range aircraft will operate on flights from Shanghai to Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Xiamen, Wuhan, and Qingdao, according to China Eastern's plans.

This is another "important leap" for China Eastern after it established One Two Three Airlines which uses mainly domestically developed planes, including COMAC's regional jet ARJ21, the report added.

Editor: Emmi Laine, Xiao Yi