Maiden flight in holding pattern

Manufacturer pushes introduction of C919 large jetliner back one year

China's dream of having its first large commercial jetliner may have hit some turbulence, as the maiden test flight of the C919 will be delayed by a year to 2015.

Zhang Yanzhong, director of the program's advisory committee of experts and a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, said the program encountered difficulties due to the manufacturer's present level of technological expertise and experience building commercial aircraft, but that these are not major setbacks.