The C-919 jumbo jet will be put into operation in late 2014 and the first batch of aircraft will be delivered to customers in 2016.

Wu said that the impact of the global financial crisis on the aviation industry is only temporary and believes that China-made jumbo jets have good market prospects. A number of domestic and overseas enterprises have already expressed their intention to order the aircraft. Wu said, "We are confident that China's aviation market and even the global aviation market will soon recover. We estimate that the market will demand over 2,000 China-made jumbo jets in the next two decades."

According to relevant plans, the entry-level C-919 jumbo jet will have 168 seats and a design life of 90,000 flight hours, equivalent to 30 years. Wu said that the C-919 aircraft will adopt many internationally-advanced technologies and will have strong market competitiveness. "We will use advanced technology in aerodynamic design and other aspects, and will take full advantage of international resources by cooperating with the world's leading suppliers in order to develop a better aircraft."

According to reports, the C-919 jumbo jet will consume 12 to 15 percent less fuel than similar aircraft and will be quieter than the maximum noise level stipulated by International Civil Aviation Regulations and airworthiness standards.