May set for Chinese airliner's maiden flight

China's first domestically-produced large passenger aircraft, the C919, is ready to take its maiden flight in early May, the Shanghai Airport Authority announced on Wednesday.

The C919, the first large passenger aircraft designed and built by China, is seen during a high-speed taxiing test in Shanghai, east China, April 23, 2017. The C919 passed a fourth high-speed taxiing test in Shanghai on Sunday.[Photo: Xinhua]

Airport authorities in Shanghai also announced through Weibo that the C919 has already completed a series of high-speed taxiing tests, the last step before its maiden flight.

The C919, with over 150 seats and a flight range of 4,075 kilometers, is designed to compete with the updated Airbus A-320 and Boeing's new-generation 737, which currently dominate the market.