COMMERCIAL Aircraft Corp of China (Comac) is said to be ready to finalize orders for the first batch of C919 jumbo next week, a source close to the matter said yesterday, and major Chinese airlines are likely to be buyers.

The source confirmed to Shanghai Daily yesterday that an official announcement will be made next week during the Eighth China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition to be held in Zhuhai in Guangdong Province. He didn't disclose more details.

The Wall Street Journal reported earlier that potential buyers of the first batch of C919 include China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines and Hainan Airlines.

Comac had earlier said the 160-seat jet is expected to make its maiden flight in 2014 and deliveries may start as early as 2016.

China is set to invest 200 billion yuan (US$30 billion) to develop the C919 to reduce reliance on aircraft built by Boeing and Airbus.

An exact replica of a C919 jet model will be shown for the first time during the Zhuhai Air Show.

The air show will also feature a flight by the self-developed ARJ21-700 regional jet during the 6-day event. The ARJ21 was unveiled during the air show in 2008.

Last week China and Airbus agreed on a contract for 102 aircraft, of which 66 are new orders.