China’s C919 Aircraft Expands Operations with New Shanghai-Guangzhou Route
China Eastern Airlines (CEA) announced that it will inaugurate the fourth commercial route for its domestically manufactured C919 aircraft on Friday, connecting Shanghai and Guangzhou. This marks a significant milestone in the expansion of China’s homegrown large passenger aircraft in the commercial aviation market.
Starting on Friday, flight MU5309 is scheduled to depart from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport at 9:30 a.m., arriving at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport at 11:55 a.m. The return flight, MU5316, will leave Guangzhou at 1:30 p.m., landing back in Shanghai at 4:00 p.m.
Currently, China Eastern Airlines is the sole operator of the C919 aircraft, with a fleet of six units. The airline’s capacity on the Shanghai-Guangzhou route has now increased to 36 daily flights, enhancing connectivity between two of China’s major economic hubs.
The addition of the sixth C919 jetliner to the CEA fleet last month signifies an acceleration in the commercial deployment of China’s self-developed trunk jetliner. This development comes one year after the first commercial flight of the C919, as China aims to secure a share of the global civil aviation market, challenging industry giants Boeing and Airbus.
Over the past year, the C919 aircraft has been operating on three routes from Shanghai: to Chengdu Tianfu International Airport in Sichuan Province, Beijing Daxing International Airport, and Xi’an Xianyang International Airport in Shaanxi Province. The introduction of the Shanghai-Guangzhou route represents a strategic expansion of the C919’s operational network.
Growing Demand and Future Prospects
The increased deployment of the C919 aligns with rising domestic travel demand and China’s ambition to promote its aerospace manufacturing capabilities. The enhanced frequency of flights between Shanghai and Guangzhou not only caters to business professionals and travelers but also demonstrates the reliability and efficiency of the C919 in commercial operations.
China Eastern Airlines’ commitment to integrating the C919 into its fleet reflects confidence in the aircraft’s performance and a desire to reduce reliance on foreign aircraft manufacturers. As more C919 planes enter service, they are expected to play a pivotal role in the domestic aviation market and potentially in international routes in the future.
Read more: China’s C919 serves first overseas commercial chartered flight
Reference(s):
cgtn.com