China-Made C919 Jet Completes First International Commercial Flight to Mongolia
Thestandard · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
China's first domestically manufactured large passenger aircraft, the C919, has successfully completed its inaugural international commercial flight. The aircraft, operated by Air China, flew the CA723 route from Beijing Capital International Airport to Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, on Wednesday. This milestone represents the C919's expansion beyond mainland China, following its first commercial flight on May 28, 2023, and its first scheduled flight outside the mainland from Shanghai to Hong Kong on January 1, 2025.
Key Points
- The C919, developed by Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), is China's first large passenger jet with independent intellectual property rights, meeting international aviation standards .
- Air China deployed the C919 for the daily CA723 service, departing Beijing Capital International Airport at approximately 3pm .
- As of August 10, the C919 domestic fleet has cumulatively served 57 routes across 25 cities, carrying more than 7.5 million passengers .
- Currently, three major Chinese airlines operate the C919: Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines .
- The aircraft's first scheduled commercial flight outside the mainland took place from Shanghai to Hong Kong on January 1, 2025, setting the stage for further international expansion .
Why It Matters
The C919's successful international debut signals China's ambition to compete in the global aviation market, traditionally dominated by Airbus and Boeing. As more airlines consider the C919 for their fleets, this development could reshape the competitive landscape of large passenger aircraft manufacturing worldwide .
The C919's successful international debut signals China's ambition to compete in the global aviation market, traditionally dominated by Airbus and Boeing. As more airlines consider the C919 for their fleets, this development could reshape the competitive landscape of large passenger aircraft manufacturing worldwide .