ZHUHAI, China, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Chinese planemaker COMAC has rebranded its ARJ21 regional jet as the C909, aligning the plane with the state-owned firm's naming convention for its other models as it seeks to present itself as an alternative to dominant Western planemakers.

Hainan Airlines announced in a stock exchange filing on Nov. 11 that it had placed an order for 40 C909s, spending $38 million on each jet. The aircraft will be operated by subsidiary Urumqi Air, which is based in Xinjiang province in northwest China. A framework agreement for an order was announced in April 2023.

China becomes the second country, after the US, to operate two stealth fighters, following the F-22 and F-35 in the US Air Force.

COMAC said on Tuesday that Air China would be the launch customer for the Chinese planemaker's C929 widebody aircraft under development that is designed to compete with twin-aisle models from Airbus and Boeing .

Air China and COMAC have reportedly signed a framework agreement for the airline to become the launch customer for the C929 long-haul widebody aircraft.

COMAC announced that Air China is the first customer for its C929 aircraft, aimed at competing with Airbus and Boeing. Hainan Airlines ordered 60 C919s and 40 C909s, while Colorful Guizhou Airlines committed to 30 C909s.

At China’s largest air show in Zhuhai, COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China) announced that Air China is the first customer for its C929