More orders for the C919 were in the pipeline this year in addition to the existing orders of 100, Wu Guanghui, vice general manager of the COMAC and the jumbo jet's chief designer, told Xinhua.

China's demand for C919 jumbo jets was estimated to reach 2,300 to 2,700 during the next two decades thanks to people's rising income and their need for faster travel means, he said.

He forecast the sales of the C919 would reach 2,000 by 2030, compared with the estimated global market demand of 20,000, said Wu.

The COMAC said earlier it had taken its first 100 orders for the C919 from six companies, including Air China, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines and General Electric's leasing arm.

"We must ensure both technological and commercial success of C919," said Wu, adding that it was more difficult to sell the jets than making it.

"The key is whether passengers would like our jets. As we have fully taken this into consideration when designing it, I'm confident we will not disappoint the market," he said.