The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) has chosen CFM International to provide the engines for its new C919 aircraft, confirms a source close to Comac.

The narrowbody aircraft will be powered by CFM's Leap X engine, adds the source.

An official announcement from Comac about the deal is expected tonight. It is understood that the deal was signed in Beijing during French Prime Minister Francois Fillon's ongoing visit to China.

The Leap X engine is under development and could be certified by 2016, while the C919 is expected to enter service in 2016.

But CFM has said previously that it will meet Comac's timeline if it is selected to provide the engines.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news