China’s First Domestically Manufactured Commercial Aircraft Takes Maiden Flight

China marked a significant achievement in aviation as its first domestically manufactured commercial aircraft, the C919, took to the skies on its maiden voyage on Sunday. The flight, departing from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport and landing in Beijing within two hours, was completed successfully with 130 passengers aboard.

As reported by China Daily, the C919, a single-aisle aircraft, was developed by the Commercial Aviation Corporation of China (COMAC). This marks a major step in Beijing’s bid to penetrate the global aircraft market, which Airbus and Boeing currently dominate.

The C919 is viewed as a potential competitor to Airbus’s A320 and Boeing’s B737 jets, typically used for domestic and regional flights.

The milestone flight was facilitated by China Eastern Airlines, a state-owned company. The aircraft proudly bore the inscription: “The World’s First C919.”

While COMAC is responsible for the design of numerous parts of the C919, it still relies on Western imports for crucial components, notably the engine.

Plans for the production of 150 C919 aircraft annually over the next five years have been reported by state media.

The C919 project, which has been in development for 16 years, is designed to carry between 158 and 168 passengers and has a maximum range of approximately 3,500 miles.

COMAC reports over 1,200 orders for the C919, with China Eastern Airlines committed to purchasing five.

The successful flight of the C919 aligns with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s goals of achieving technological independence amidst tense relations with the US.

Xinhua, the state broadcaster, noted that the development of the C919 confirms China’s ability to create large passenger aircraft independently.

President Xi celebrated the C919 development team in October at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, commending them as the “backbone” of the country and “heroes.”

The President expressed that having Chinese-made aircraft in the skies signifies the country’s will, national dreams, and the hopes of its people. Furthermore, he acknowledged the strides made in domestic manufacturing as key to achieving the “Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.”

As the C919 took off on Sunday, Xinhua asserted that the aircraft’s safety, reliability, and environmental performance have been thoroughly evaluated.