China Eastern Airlines proudly carried out the historic maiden commercial flight of China’s first indigenously developed passenger aircraft, the C919, on Sunday, May 28. With this successful journey from Shanghai to Beijing, China has taken a significant step forward in its ambition to compete with Western aviation giants Boeing and Airbus.
Operated by the state-run China Eastern Airlines, the C919 departed from Shanghai at 10:32 am local time and arrived safely at the Beijing Capital International Airport at 12:31 pm, marking the beginning of a new era for Chinese aviation. The single-aisle, twin-engined aircraft, boasting 164 seats, accommodated over 130 passengers who eagerly boarded the flight. As a special commemoration, passengers were presented with red boarding passes and treated to a sumptuous “themed meal.”
The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) developed the C919, which received a type certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China in September of the previous year. This certification confirmed the aircraft’s compliance with safety standards and regulations. In December 2022, China Eastern Airlines conducted a rigorous 100-hour verification flight to ensure the C919’s operational safety. The aircraft underwent testing in various extreme natural environments, including high temperature, high humidity, severe cold, gusts, and freeze, demonstrating its resilience and adaptability.
The C919’s first flight took place in 2017, following years of delays, and has since undergone numerous successful test flights, leading up to this momentous commercial debut. Zhang Xiaoguang, the director of COMAC’s marketing and sales department, expressed his optimism, stating, “The first commercial flight is a coming-of-age ceremony of the new aircraft, and C919 will get better and better if it stands the test of the market,” as reported by Xinhua.
Chinese officials anticipate that the entry of the C919 into the global civil aviation market will help reduce reliance on Western aircraft manufacturers, such as Boeing and Airbus. The domestically built C919 has the potential to become a formidable competitor in the international aviation industry, introducing a new player and enhancing China’s influence in this sector.
Moving forward, the C919 is scheduled to operate on China Eastern Airlines’ regular route between Shanghai and the southwestern city of Chengdu starting from Monday, further solidifying its position as a viable commercial aircraft for domestic travel.
As the C919 embarks on its commercial journey, the aviation world eagerly awaits its reception in the market. China’s commitment to advancing its aerospace industry, bolstered by the successful launch of the C919, signifies the nation’s growing capabilities and determination to become a major player in the global aviation landscape.
