China's newest plane is taking off with airlines across the globe

Earlier this week the Commercial Aircraft Corp of China Ltd (COMAC) signed 130 orders for the C919 passenger jet.

The aircraft took it's first flight this year. COMAC is a key part of China's plans to become a pivotal part in the international civil aerospace market.

The C919 passenger jet is the first of its kind designed and built in China. The plane is scheduled to make its maiden flight on May 5. [Photo: Xinhua]

The deals take total orders for the C919 single-aisle aircraft to 730 planes from 27 customers.

China Nuclear E&C Group placed an order for 40 jets, while Huabao Leasing and AVIC International Leasing each signed up for 30 of the aircraft, according to a statement from COMAC, Reuters reported.

A spokesman from COMAC said that they were in talks with both foreign and domestic airlines to lease out the planes, with a focus on carriers in regions such as Central Asia and Africa that were involved in Beijing’s Belt and Road initiative.

The C919 is in the process of certification in Europe and the United States which will then be a key to opening up international markets.

But there has already been interest from budget Irish airline Ryanair. The embattled airline has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the COMAC to “participate in discussion on the development” of the C919.

Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary has previously said that he welcomed an alternative to Boeing and Airbus, adding he was “seriously interested in the development of a 200 seat variant”.

Ryanair has been in the press recently over their announcement that they were cutting up to 50 flights a day following "a backlog of crew leave".

It "apologised sincerely to the small number of customers affected" and promised to try and rearrange flights.

A statement claimed the move was to realign staff's annual holiday window and improve punctuality.