Chinese plane maker COMAC receives 50 new jet orders

State-owned plane maker Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) said Tuesday it had won 50 new orders for its new passenger jet, Reuters reported. Customers for the jet include regional carriers Joy Air and Hebei Aviation, who will each purchase 20. US aircraft parts producer GECAS, a General Electric (GE.NYSE) unit which assists in engine production, put in a new order of 10, in addition to a pre-existing order of 10. Irish airline Ryanair (RYAAY.NASDAQ, RYA.LON) and British Airways have also signed tentative agreements for future orders of the jet, the Chinese company said. COMAC also plans to enter into an agreement with previously bankrupt US carrier Eastern Air Lines, which may be re-launching. Comac’s new jet, the C919, competes with Europe’s Airbus and US’ Boeing (BA.NYSE) in the largest portion of the US$100 billion-per-year jetliner market. In a separate report, COMAC announced closer ties with Canadian Bombadier (BBD.B.TSE, BBD.A.TSE). The companies said Tuesday they are considering joint sales and marketing on a new series of planes.