C919 somewhat overweight

New data suggests the Comac C919 narrowbody airliner may not have achieved the low weight expected of a new advanced design. 
AviationWeek reports preliminary C919 specifications issued suggest it is unexpectedly heavy for a new-generation airliner. Gross takeoff mass for the extended-range version will be 77.3 tons (170,400 pounds), almost the same as that of the 1980s-technology Airbus A320 while carrying only six more passengers over the same range of 3,000 nautical miles.
Comac is promising a 10% reduction in direct operating costs but there seems a hesitation on the part of the state airlines to seriously commit to the C919.
China Southern Airlines, Air China and China Eastern Airlines have signed letters of intent for only five C919s each. Comac was seeking commitments for several hundred aircraft. Letters of intent were signed at Airshow China earlier last week and the exact total is not clear but it is below 55.