China's domestically developed C919 passenger aircraft is set to launch new flight routes connecting Xi'an and Xiamen starting March 30, 2026, marking another milestone in the country's aviation sector. China Eastern Airlines will operate three daily round-trip flights on this route, while Air China begins Beijing-Xiamen service with one daily round-trip flight from March 29.
With 14 C919s currently in its fleet, China Eastern now operates the aircraft across 19 routes spanning 16 airports in 14 cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Air China has expanded its C919 network to 11 routes, with plans to add a Beijing-Harbin connection featuring two daily flights.
The C919 entered commercial service in May 2023 and has since become a symbol of China's technological advancement in aerospace. Analysts note the expanded routes demonstrate growing confidence in domestic aviation manufacturing, with the aircraft now serving key economic hubs across the country.
This development comes as Chinese carriers increasingly deploy homegrown aircraft for domestic travel, reducing reliance on foreign-made planes. Industry observers suggest the C919's operational success could position China as a stronger competitor in global aviation markets in the coming years.
