Chinese aircraft manufacturer COMAC records the first orders for its C919 aircraft outside of China. The start-up carrier from Brunei, Gallop Air, has signed a letter of intent for the purchase of a total of 30 COMAC aircraft, of which 15 are ARJ21 and 15 C919.
According to Reuters, Gallop Air has signed a document for a potential USD 2 billion order.
Details of the signed agreement reveal that 15 ARJ21 aircraft have been ordered, including cargo and executive variants, with an addition of 15 C919s. If the order is realized, Gallop Air will be the first carrier outside of China to have C919 aircraft in its fleet, while Indonesian TransNusa is already flying the ARJ21 as the first operator of this type outside of China.
Gallop Air emphasizes that flight operations should begin in the third quarter of 2024, after all necessary aircraft certifications in Brunei.
China Eastern Airlines is the first operator of the new C919 type, and currently has two in its fleet. COMAC emphasizes that they currently have 1,200 C919 aircraft on order.
