China Celebrates First Commercial Flight of Chinese-Designed Airliner

Successful maiden flight for the first airliner Made in China. 15 years after the official launch of the C919 program, the Comac aircraft - a competitor to the A320neo and the 737 Max - made its first commercial route on Sunday (May 28th) between Shanghai and Beijing, marking a turning point for the Chinese aviation sector.

A passenger takes a selfie near a sign reading "C919's first maiden flight," in front of the Chinese-designed plane, in Shanghai on May 28, 2023. © Ding Ting / AP

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With our correspondent in Beijing, Stéphane Lagarde

With 128 passengers on board and the iconic flight number #MU9191, China Eastern Airlines' white plane was on all smartphones this Sunday in China. Music and special broadcasts on state media that followed this first commercial flight of the C919 since its takeoff this morning at 10:35 am in Shanghai, until the landing two hours later on the tarmac of Beijing where two fire trucks were waiting for it for a "water salute": two jets of water forming an arch at the arrival of the plane.

The maiden commercial flight of home-made C919 lands at Beijing Capital International Airport, welcomed by a watergate ceremony. pic.twitter.com/eZ5k8GwgMI

— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) May 28, 2023

According to China Central Television, the lucky ones who were able to board the aircraft received red boarding passes and were able to enjoy a "themed meal". Pride and patriotism in the comments: "Most passengers will be able to choose to travel on large aircraft of national design in the future," the state broadcaster said.

Seven years behind schedule and in a climate of mistrust vis-à-vis aviation in a context of decarbonization of transport, the Chinese manufacturer Comac dreams of competing with the Airbus A320 and Boeing's 737-Max. The aircraft has already registered more than 1,200 orders, mainly from Chinese companies. The first Chinese-designed aircraft, the C919 remains dependent on foreign technologies, including its Leap1C engine developed by GE-Safran.

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  • China
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