Charlotte Bailey joined AIN’s editorial team in 2025 as a news reporter covering multiple topics including business aviation, new technology and the defense sector. She is also a frequent presenter in AIN’s video news reports. 
UK-based Charlotte has a strong interest in vintage military jets and in 2023 published a book about the de Havilland Vampire, as well as serving as a consultant on the topic for TV and movie projects. She is keen to expand her flying experience and enjoys hands-on assignments worldwide. In 2024, Charlotte was honored as Best New Journalist in the Aerospace Media Awards. Early in her career, Charlotte was involved in manufacturing customized hot air balloons.

News Reporter 

Charlotte Bailey

Comac has signed a letter of intent with Shanxi Victory General Aviation for six newly-certified C909 firefighting jets. The deal includes three firm orders and indications of intent for another three.
Capable of carrying 10 tonnes of water or fire retardant plus 19 passengers, the modified C909 variant received regulatory approval from the Civil Aviation Authority of China last December. Firefighting missions will benefit from the aircraft’s 2,000-nm range and its ability to operate from high-altitude, high-temperature environments and narrow runways.
In commercial passenger service, the C909’s cabin can seat 78 to 97 passengers. So far, Comac has delivered more than 200 aircraft, including a mix of C909 regional jets and larger C919 narrowbodies. Comac said it is “setting its sights on the Southeast Asian aviation market,” with the C909 operational in commercial service in countries including Indonesia, Laos, and Vietnam.
Furthermore, Comac believes its sustained development of new aircraft variants—such as the reconfigurable C909 medical rescue aircraft on display at the Singapore Airshow—will “better meet the needs of customers in Southeast Asia and worldwide with diversified aircraft products and a customer support network.”

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In this article

Comac C919

Comac (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China)

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