The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) is revving up the design and testing phase of its widebody C929 airliner, marshalling its resources and mobilising its stakeholders to roll out the indigenous jet on schedule – or, potentially, ahead of earlier estimates.

Specialists from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) have proactively involved themselves in the C929’s development, the South China Morning Post has learned, with personnel from the national regulator assessing designs, offering feedback and moving some certification reviews ahead while the airliner takes shape.

“Preliminary wind tunnel tests have started in recent months, an early milestone of collaboration between the regulator and Comac,” according to a source close to the matter, who added the joint work suggests an accelerated pace.

China’s leading planemaker is poised for a moderate ramping up of production and deliveries of its C919 narrowbody jet this year, aiming for 28 units or more, with two having already rolled off the production line just three weeks into the new year, according to sources and an industry analyst.

“Things started to improve substantially in the last quarter [of 2025] with the arrival of more engines and other parts … It’s reasonable to expect more deliveries this year but Comac’s management is prudent [on the outlook],” the manager said, requesting anonymity.

“Two [C919] units have taken shape since the start of the new year and are undergoing delivery procedures. If that can become the norm, then Comac can produce one C919 every 10 to 15 days this year.”

Comac delivered 15 C919s to customers in 2025, well short of the output target of 75 planned at the beginning of the year.

Eight of them were delivered in November and December after it spun up production, according to data from Chinese carriers and aviation consultancies viewed by the Post.