Alcoa, China Working On Commercial Jetliner

NEW YORK (AP) -- Alcoa Inc. said Thursday it is working with China on the development of the country's newest and biggest commercial jetliner.

The U.S.-based aluminum maker and the state-backed Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China Ltd. are "examining advanced aluminum structural concepts, designs and alloys" that will be used to build the 190-seat C919 aircraft.

China hopes the narrow-body, single-aisle C919 will boost its fledgling aviation industry and help it compete with Western rivals such as Boeing Co. and Airbus. Chinese officials say the C919 will be cheaper for airlines to operate and use 12 percent to 15 percent less fuel than comparable jetliners.

The Chinese company plans to fly the plane for the first time in 2014 before delivering it to buyers in 2016. Parts will be made by suppliers worldwide, but the aircraft will be assembled in Shanghai.

Alcoa has operations at 15 sites in China, including offices and plants in Beijing, Shanghai, Qinhuangdao, Kunshan, Suzhou, Guangzhou and Hong Kong. Alcoa's products also are being used in a new Chinese regional jet, the ARJ21-700.

Shares of Alcoa rose 78 cents, or 6.5 percent, to $12.71 in morning trading.

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Future Headline 10/29/2009 4:27:00 PM China annouced today that their new jetliner failed because several key parts that were to be manufacured from plastic were instead made from baby formula. Weight was also a factor as many of the components were laced with lead. In an unrelated story, several line workers became ill after eating tainted dog food.
China made aircraft. 10/29/2009 4:51:00 PM No way in heck would I get on an aircraft made in China. They can't even make a toy ...
China made aircraft 10/29/2009 5:28:00 PM Remember the dry wall China supplied that everyone thought was such a bargin. Ask homeowners with that material. China is in too bigh of a rush to take over all the world manufacturing that they will poison the world to do it. Think that China built jet would be safe ????
Alcoa Support for Chinese Airliner 10/29/2009 5:46:00 PM Nice of Alcoa to help put more Americans out of work at Boeing. Always great to support your county eh
Made In China 10/29/2009 6:20:00 PM Toys are one thing. Airplanes are another. Remember Alcoa is a partner. And don't be surprised if the Chinese didn't learn something from the Japanese. Remember 30 some-odd years ago when "Made in Japan" was the big three's negative mantra regarding Japan's quality. Look at them now! I seriously doubt you'll see anything roll out on to a Chinese tarmac until it's thoroughly QCed at all stages of manufacturing and assembly.
Re: Future Headline... 10/29/2009 6:31:00 PM Don't forget chinese workers sickened in new produciton facility by tainted drywall and passenters overcome by extremely high levels of flame retardant in the interior.
Better Yourself Now 10/29/2009 9:23:00 PM Or get left behind and live in poverty in the future... then you will have all day leaving sour-grape comments like above.
Alcoa, China 10/30/2009 1:13:00 AM They will have fake jet engine and their planes will nose dive like never seen before. Stop the trade now.
China can make quality products but... 10/30/2009 6:13:00 AM they will cut corners for crap they ship to Walmart. You get what you pay for when you reach for the cheapist item on the shelf.
China Aircraft 10/30/2009 8:22:00 AM Perhaps they have figured out how to make toys now and this new aircraft is actually a over-sized, 190 seat toy with one bigass rubber band.
Don't be left behind ... 10/30/2009 8:57:00 AM Made in USA: Sarcasm and hubris will propel you and the good old USA ahead of all competition.
Made in China 10/30/2009 9:33:00 AM It took long time for Japan to be as it is today. I do not think China will take long to be at that level because American Co. gave them technoly to trade for benefit even the American goverment regulates a certain level of technoly can be given up. Also China is buying American properties (Volvo for ex.) and they will sit right in your office to learn and copy your concepts. I think the American goverment will save alot of money from not hiring more FBI and CIA to track down Chinese spies. If we keep " leaving sour-grape comments" guess what will happen???
Aluminum Shower 10/30/2009 11:32:00 AM Having read all of the above commentaries, I did get a chuckle from several of them. However, I believe this can be positive for the US, at least as far as bringing money home, since Alcoa is an American aluminum manufacturer, and they no doubt will be selling a lot more aluminum to the Chinese. The technology theft is still very real though, and will continue if we let it, as China does not observe property rights. And by the way, Volvo is Swedish, and the sale would provide more incoming funds to a US manufacturer (for a change). In short, I can't see a really big down side to this, but wouldn't want them landing here!!
Alcoa an American company? 10/30/2009 6:36:00 PM Alcoa USED to be an American company. Today it has plants in 44 countries, including Russia and China. The top management is of foreign orgin and the highest ranking American in the hierarcy is a plant manager overseeing a plant in Indiana and one in Texas that has curtailed operations.
First of all, you... 10/30/2009 7:35:00 PM don't seem to be old enough to remember "cheap Japanese radios". Also U.S. aluminum won't ever be sold to China because in the next to the last paragraph it says they already have sales offices and plants there.
Perfect for flying MBAs 11/3/2009 3:03:00 PM It appears some MBAs from WalMart are now at Alcoa. I wonder how many can fit in this new C919? They should be on its maiden flight.

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