COMAC said on Tuesday that Air China would be the launch customer for the Chinese planemaker's C929 widebody aircraft under development that is designed to compete with twin-aisle models from Airbus and Boeing .

China becomes the second country, after the US, to operate two stealth fighters, following the F-22 and F-35 in the US Air Force.

Air China and COMAC have reportedly signed a framework agreement for the airline to become the launch customer for the C929 long-haul widebody aircraft.

Yang said that the C929 is currently in the preliminary design stage, but did not give additional details on the selection. It is likely that the launch customer will be one of China’s “big three” state-owned airlines: Air China, China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines.

COMAC announced that Air China is the first customer for its C929 aircraft, aimed at competing with Airbus and Boeing. Hainan Airlines ordered 60 C919s and 40 C909s, while Colorful Guizhou Airlines committed to 30 C909s.

At China’s largest air show in Zhuhai, COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China) announced that Air China is the first customer for its C929

Chinese planemaker COMAC has rebranded its ARJ21 regional jet as the C909 as it seeks to present itself as an alternative to dominant Western manufacturers.