The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) has entrusted Aritex with the design, manufacture and assembly of two production lines for the future Chinese C919 commercial airliner. The Systems and Technology business company will be responsible for the automated lines that will be used to assemble the future aircraft’s main body section (the fuselage to which the aircraft’s wings are attached) and horizontal tail planes.
Aritex plans to construct a 10,000 m2 industrial building in Shanghai to carry out these projects and strengthen its position in response to the needs of the Chinese aeronautical industry. This manufacturing centre is expected to be able to offer work to more than 50 people over the two-year period.
The C919 will seat 168 passengers and have a flying range of 5,555 kilometres, competing in the same segment as the Airbus A320 and the Boeing 737. The new airliner is expected to make its maiden flight in 2014, although commercial operation will have to wait until 2016.
These orders represent another step forward in the internationalization strategy of Aritex, which has been working as the strategic partner of the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers: Airbus (European consortium EADS), Bombardier or Embraer. Likewise, they reinforce the company’s commitment to diversification in the aeronautical industry while at the same time maintaining its specialization in the automotive sector.
