The annual production capacity of the C919 large passenger jetliner is expected to reach 150 units in five years, Zhang Yujin, vice-president of  Commercial Aircraft Corp of China Ltd, said in an exclusive interview with ThePaper on Jan 12.

The company has now received 1,200 new orders for the C919 jet, which is projected to be put into commercial operation by March.

The first C919 aircraft delivered to China Eastern Airlines on Dec 9 is undergoing the 100-hour aircraft validation flight process on nine air routes which started from Dec 26.

After the test flights, the Civil Aviation Administration of China would issue a corresponding operation license to the Shanghai-based carrier, verifying its capability to operate the aircraft safely.

Being put into commercial passenger operation in spring, the C919 will serve on its premium routes to Shanghai, Beijing, Xi'an, Kunming, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Shenzhen, according to China Eastern Airlines.