A COMAC C919 prototype, first China-made large passenger aircraft, was rolled out of the final assembly line in Shanghai on Monday, after seven years of development and repeated delays.

The narrow-body aircraft, painted in a white, blue and green COMAC livery, was towed onto the facility and made its worldwide debut before a crowd of 5,000 comprising Chinese politicians, airline chiefs, suppliers and journalists. The event was also broadcast live on the country's central television network, with VIPs including China's vice-premier Ma Kai.

The basic version seats 158 passengers in a two-class cabin, or 168 in all-economy class layout, and the high-density layout can carry 174 passengers. Its standard range is 4,075 km, while the extended-range version can reach 5,555 km.

Equipped with CFM International Leap-1C engines, the C919 has installed all major systems, said the manufacturer.

COMAC said the prototype, Registration B-001A, would start ground tests shortly, and the single-aisle aircraft is target for make its maiden flight next year and then begin test flights for about three years before putting into commercial use.

COMAC has so far secured 517 orders and commitments for the in-development C919 aircraft from 21 customers at home and abroad, including 7 domestic airlines, two overseas airlines and 12 aircraft leasing firms.

It is forecasted that COMAC would deliver 923 C919 aircraft in next two decades. With a capacity for 168 passengers, the C919 aims to challenge the dominance of the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 in the market for planes with more than 100 seats.