China's first large passenger jet prepares for its maiden flight

The C919, regarded as China's answer to the Boeing 737 and Airbus 320, is expected to make its maiden flight on May 5, according to the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC). It is China's first domestically-built large passenger jet.

The plane will take off from Shanghai's Pudong International Airport.

"If weather conditions are not suitable, the flight will be rescheduled. Engineers have completed over 118 tests and are prepared for the maiden flight," COMAC said.

The twin-engine C919 was unveiled last November at a roll-out ceremony in Shanghai. It can carry up to 158 passengers and has a range of 4,075 kilometers. A longer range version can fly up to 5,555 kilometers.

COMAC has received 570 orders from 23 foreign and domestic customers, according to the Chinese media. However, the vast majority of orders is from local carriers.