COMAC (Shanghai Pudong) and Chengdu Airlines (EU, Chengdu Shuangliu) have signed a cooperation framework agreement in which the two parties will jointly focus on the development needs of the C919 aircraft project. In addition, the partnership will leverage Chengdu Airlines’ aeronautical resources and expertise in the areas of flight testing, customer service and personnel training. The aircraft, set to make its first flight in 2015 with initial deliveries scheduled for late 2016, has thus far seen 380 orders, largely from Chinese state-backed carriers and aircraft lessors.