China to restart Eastern Airlines

[spuwho]

COMAC, a Chinese based passenger aircraft manufacturer has been working on a Boeing/Airbus competitor (C919) for several years and hopes to start flying them in trials in 2014. Meanwhile a related Chinese firm has announced that they are going to restart Eastern Airlines to enter the US air market and use the Comac C919 as the foundation of their service.  They want to compete with Southwest.



Reuters has the lastest report on this move by the 2 Chinese firms.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/13/uk-china-airshow-idUSLNE8AC00N20121113

[urbanlibertarian]

[urbanlibertarian]

[ben says]

Neat pictures & cool news

[civil42806]

Should note that there has only be 20 sales outside of china, and those were to GE leasing.  I'm sure its not a coincidence that GE is co-producimg the Engine for the aircraft. Most likely that was an agreement for GE to get the engine contract.

[Ocklawaha]

Eastern, if it returns, could be a opportunity for Jacksonville. Make them an offer and go for a regional hub.

[wsansewjs]

The C919 looks like a generic version of an Airbus. LOL

"ATTENTION JET SHOPPERS! In the aisle 10, we have introduced a generic version of Airbus so you can save money and fly the same! Check out the new C-919!"

-Josh

[spuwho]

Should note that there has only be 20 sales outside of china, and those were to GE leasing.  I'm sure its not a coincidence that GE is co-producimg the Engine for the aircraft. Most likely that was an agreement for GE to get the engine contract.

GE is involved in the engine due to patent and intellectual property issues.  Honda did the same arrangement for the new HondaJet.

The engines will be made in China, but due to the significant amount of patents owned by GE for modern jet technology, Comac is unable to work with a domestic supplier with adequate expertise.

The Comac 919 will actually be using a significant amount of US technology (Collins, Honeywell), only the development and construction will occur in China.

The nascent Chinese aircraft industry is struggling with modern jet requirements due to a host of issues. This is causing problems in their military development as well and explains why they receive NPO Saturn engines from Russia.

The Chinese government just increased R&D funding for jet technology 67% as they try to develop in house w/o a joint venture.  The intellectual property in modern jet engines is closely held by a few firms;

GE (US)
Pratt & Whitney (US)
CFM (Snecma/GE joint venture)
SNECMA (French)
Rolls Royce (England)
NPO (Russia)

When Honda tried to develop an engine in house, they reached a point where they couldn't go further without some kind of patent agreement. They couldn't reach terms with GE, so they finally agreed to a JV with GE so they could finish the engines.

There are some political issues in the Comac deal behind the scenes. The use of US based avionics, engine technology expertise (materials and methods), all have military cross over applications. The fact they want to enter the US market is seen by some as a cynical attempt to placate the "hawks" that their intentions are for profit, not confrontation.