The night sky over Shanghai lit up with anticipation on August 28 as two C919 jetliners, adorned in the distinctive liveries of Air China and China Southern Airlines, were unveiled at the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) assembly center in Pudong. These aircraft represent the eighth and ninth deliveries of the C919, China’s first domestically developed narrow-body passenger jet, marking a significant step in the nation’s burgeoning civil aviation industry.
“This time, the deliveries to multiple users mean COMAC starts mass delivery to different customers,” said Lin Zhijie, a noted civil aviation expert. “The fact that the aircraft will be operated by different airlines under different conditions marks a very important stage for the C919’s commercial operation.”
Since receiving certification from Chinese civil aviation authorities in 2022, the C919 has rapidly transitioned from a symbol of technological ambition to a fixture in commercial fleets. China Eastern Airlines, the jet’s first global operator, has already integrated seven C919 aircraft into its operations. The airline commenced the maiden commercial flight of the C919 in May 2023, connecting major cities across the country.
China Eastern’s C919 fleet now services five commercial routes, linking Shanghai with Beijing, Chengdu, Xi’an, and other key destinations. On September 1, the C919 celebrated a milestone by welcoming its 500,000th passenger aboard a flight from Chengdu Tianfu International Airport to Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport. To date, the fleet has accumulated over 10,000 hours of safe flight and completed more than 3,700 commercial flights.
The introduction of the C919 into multiple airline fleets signals a new chapter for COMAC and China’s aviation sector. As orders for the C919 continue to pile up, the aircraft is poised to challenge the dominance of established manufacturers in the narrow-body market.
Industry analysts believe that the increasing adoption of the C919 by different airlines will enhance its operational data and performance feedback, accelerating its development and optimization. With China’s expanding air travel market and a growing demand for domestically produced aircraft, the C919 stands at the forefront of a transformative era in aviation.
The success of the C919 not only reflects technological progress but also symbolizes China’s strategic move toward self-reliance in key industries. As the aircraft enters mass production and more airlines incorporate it into their fleets, passengers across Asia and beyond may soon find themselves flying onboard this emblem of innovation and national pride.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
