(Yicai Global) Sept. 13 -- The 919, China's first self-developed large passenger aircraft, could gain type certification this month to prove its airworthiness after five years of testing.

The first batch of the narrow-body civil airliner, developed and manufactured by Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China, could be delivered to clients by year-end, Yicai Global learned from an insider. Shanghai-based COMAC has recorded orders for 815 planes from 28 customers.

Two C919 aircraft departed from Shanghai for Beijing Capital International Airport today in preparation for a type certificate granted by the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

Some planes may go eventually abroad as COMAC has already applied for an airworthiness certificate with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency to get ready for potential export orders, Yicai Global learned. 

Six C919 planes have completed test flights in cities including Shanghai, central China's Xi’an, Nanchang in southeastern Jiangxi province, and Dongying in Shandong province, since the maiden flight in May 2017.

The first successful client may be China Eastern Airlines as in March 2021 the Shanghai-based airline placed an order of five C919s before anyone else. Several others, including Air China, China Southern Airlines, and ICBC Leasing, followed suit.

China Eastern said in its interim earnings report on Aug. 31 that it expects to introduce the first C919 in the second half and insert the remaining four next year.

Editors: Dou Shicong, Emmi Laine, Xiao Yi