The C919, the first airliner designed entirely in China, successfully completed its maiden commercial flight, marking a major turning point for the Chinese aviation industry which has long aspired to compete with its Western counterparts.
Beijing has high ambitions for the C919 and hopes it will be able to compete with the most popular foreign planes, such as the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320. According to state broadcaster CCTV, in the future, the majority of passengers will be able to choose to travel on these large, domestically designed aircraft.
A successful maiden flight
China Eastern Airlines flight MU9191, operated by C919, landed smoothly at Beijing International Airport nearly 40 minutes ahead of schedule, around 12:30 p.m. local time (04:30 GMT) , as reported by CCTV. A passenger on board the plane told CCTV that the flight was extremely smooth, comfortable and memorable, and that he would remember it for a long time.
The plane took off from Shanghai’s Hongqiao Airport early in the morning, CCTV footage showed. It is estimated that there were around 130 passengers on board. Before takeoff, dozens of people gathered at Shanghai airport to admire the sleek plane. Once on board, passengers received red boarding passes and were treated to a luxurious “themed meal” to celebrate the historic event.
China, which is striving to become self-reliant in the technology sector, has invested heavily in the production of this first Chinese airliner. Although state-owned Comac is responsible for building the aircraft, many of the plane’s parts come from different countries, demonstrating the international collaboration in this ambitious endeavor.
The C919, a modern airliner
The C919 has reached an important milestone by completing its maiden commercial flight. China now aspires to consolidate its position on the global civil aviation scene and become a major player in the aviation industry. This success represents a true symbol of the rise of Chinese industry in the field of aeronautics.
China Eastern Airlines announced that the C919 will be put into service from Monday for scheduled routes between Shanghai and Chengdu, according to CCTV.
The first copy of this narrow-body aircraft, capable of carrying 164 passengers, was officially delivered to the Chinese airline in December 2022. It marks an important milestone in the development of China’s aviation industry. Asia, particularly China, is a key market for aerospace giants such as Airbus and Boeing. The latter seek to meet the growing demand for air travel from an expanding middle class.
Airbus strengthens its presence in China
In April, Airbus announced plans to double its production capacity in China. An agreement was also signed for the construction of a second assembly line in Tianjin, in the northeast of the country, dedicated to the A320. The first assembly site in Tianjin, opened in 2008, currently produces four A320s per month, but Airbus hopes to increase this rate to six per month by the end of 2023.
The introduction of the C919 on scheduled flights between Shanghai and Chengdu is a significant milestone for China Eastern Airlines. This demonstrates China’s commitment to developing its aviation industry and becoming a major player on the global stage. Growing demand for travel in Asia provides ample opportunities for international aircraft manufacturers as they seek to meet the needs of the growing middle class. With the expansion of its production capacities in China, Airbus strengthens its presence in this strategic market and confirms its commitment to the Chinese aeronautical industry.
