(Yicai Global) April 23 -- Ethiopian Airlines is evaluating the C919 model  from Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, better known as COMAC, as  a possible replacement for its grounded Boeing 737 Max.

"We've already received four 737MAXs, their suspension has had a certain  impact on our operations, but we can still overcome it by replacing  them," Ethiopian Airlines Chief Executive Tewolde Gebremariam told Yicai  Global. "Specific calculations of the loss are yet to made."

The Ethiopian flag carrier became the subject of much media attention after  an air disaster on March 10 resulted in 157 deaths. The company has  already paid initial compensation to the victims' relatives, he said  adding that it is in talks with an insurance company on payment plans.

Ethiopia's  Ambassador to China Teshome Toga visited Shanghai-based COMAC not long  ago and viewed the C919 and CR929 fuselage models. The company aims to  rival the 737 MAX with the C919, which is undergoing flight tests and  certificate applications. 

"We are indeed evaluating the C919," Gebremariam said. Ethiopian Airlines  and the COMAC has also set up a joint committee to further negotiate  their cooperation. Engineers from both sides are carrying out  assessments, he said, adding "we will consider operating the C919 in  Ethiopian Airlines' fleet planning and development."

The fuselage cannot be used to replace the 737 MAX in the short term,  however. COMAC will strive to obtain China's civil aviation  airworthiness certification for it by 2021 and then deliver the first  batch. The company is also seeking European certification within three  to four years, Chief Designer Wu Guanghui said during government  meetings last month.

Gebremariam also revealed that the carrier is negotiating with aerospace and  defense conglomerate Aviation Industry Corporation of China, for the  possible establishment of a joint venture in Africa to operate  low-traffic flights inside Ethiopia and to its neighbors using Harbin  Y-12 regional aircraft. The model is a high-wing twin-engine turboprop  utility aircraft built by AVIC affiliate Harbin Aircraft Industry Group  in the 1980s.

Editor: Liao Shumin, William Clegg