China Eastern Airlines to be launch customer for COMAC's C919

ZHUHAI, China (Reuters) - China Eastern Airlines <600115.SS> will be the launch customer for China's home-built C919 passenger jet, which may make its first test flight later this year, Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) [CMAFC.UL] said on Tuesday.

The state-owned aircraft maker said in a statement released at the Zhuhai airshow that it has agreed to begin talks with China Eastern about firming up the carrier's planned purchase of five of the single-aisle jets within a year of the aircraft's first flight.