C919 jet set for maiden flight, in test of China's aviation ambitions

The first C919 passenger jet made by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) is seen during a test in Shanghai, China April 16, 2017. Picture taken April 16, 2017. REUTERS/Stringer

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China's home-grown C919 passenger jet is set to take to the skies on its long-delayed maiden flight on Friday, a major step for Beijing as it looks to boost its profile in the global aviation market.

The narrow-body aircraft, which will compete with Boeing's 737 and the Airbus A320, is a key symbol of China's ambitions to muscle into a global jet market estimated to be worth $2 trillion over the next 20 years.