BEIJING — After 15 years of development, China's 919-seat C919 represents a breakthrough in Beijing's long-standing ambition to create an aircraft industry capable of challenging key players.

As the aircraft completed its maiden commercial flight from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport to Beijing Capital International Airport, Chinese President Xi Jinping hailed the project as a triumph of Chinese innovation, and state media promoted the aircraft as a symbol of industrial prowess and national pride.

How did China's C919 project start?

  • 2006: China's State Council established a major special command group for major aircraft.
  • 2007: Approval of the official establishment of a major scientific and technological project for the development of major aircraft.
  • 2008: China Commercial Airline Corporation is established.
  • 2009: Codename COMAC919 for the first model of a large passenger aircraft.
  • 2010: The Civil Aviation Administration of China officially approves the type certificate application for a large passenger aircraft.
  • 2011 – 2016: Design approval and commencement of aircraft parts production and testing.
  • 2017: The aircraft successfully makes its maiden flight in Shanghai.
  • 2018-2020: Start of a series of test flights.
  • 2021: China's Eastern Air Lines officially signed a contract for the purchase of 5 aircraft.
  • 2022: The Civil Aviation Administration of China issues a type certificate, and the first aircraft is delivered to the operator.
  • 2023: The large passenger aircraft "C919" successfully completes its first commercial flight.

What distinguishes the Chinese aircraft?

The aircraft is produced by Shanghai-based state-backed commercial airline COMAC, which says it is the first jet type flagship passenger aircraft developed independently in accordance with international aviation standards and with independent intellectual property rights.

The large aircraft adopts a number of world-leading advanced technologies, the manufacturer says, including a digital avionics system and a low-pressure noise reduction engine.

The aircraft has a single aisle and a capacity of 158-164 seats, a maximum of 192 seats, and can fly for a range between 4075-5555 kilometers, and has good economic performance, the length of the fuselage is 38.9 meters, the wingspan is 35.8 meters, and the maximum take-off weight is 79.5 tons.

According to the company's official website, the emission of nitrogen oxides from the aircraft is 50% less than the International Civil Aviation Organization standard, and the emission of carbon dioxide is 12% less than the emissions of aircraft in active service.

According to China's Eastern Airlines, which took delivery of the plane and operated its maiden flight, the cost of the plane was 653 million yuan ($99 million).

China seeks to reduce reliance on foreign technology as relations with Western countries deteriorate (Reuters)

How will this model affect the aviation market?

According to a report by COMAC, the Chinese aviation market will add 9284,2041 aircraft over the next two decades, and by 10, China's national fleet will exceed 21,1 aircraft, accounting for <>.<>% of the global passenger aircraft fleet.

China's aviation market will become the world's largest single aviation market, and the research, development and production of the large aircraft will provide a huge development opportunity for China's aviation industry, the report said.

Beijing has long sought to reduce reliance on foreign technology as relations with Western countries deteriorate, however, advanced components including jet engines, avionics, control and communication systems and landing gear remain vulnerable to foreign restrictions or sanctions.

Even with safe supplies, China's aviation industry still has many years to mature across the board, and according to observers, it is too early to say that the C919 will pose a threat to industry leaders Airbus and Boeing, both in China and elsewhere, given the novelty of the experience and uncertainty of performance and reliability.

At the same time, the manufacturer announced that orders for the aircraft reached 1200,2023 as of January 150, as the company plans to increase its production capacity to <> aircraft annually over the next five years.

Where is China's aviation industry headed?

The civil aviation industry has accelerated initial work and the construction of 100 large infrastructure projects, 8 airports have been newly constructed, and so far, China has a total of 254 transport airports, 399 general-purpose airports, 4165,3177 transport aircraft, 282,18 general-purpose aircraft, 6 runways, 7328,<>,<> square meters of terminal buildings, and <>,<> aircraft seats.

According to researcher Chen Zefang of the Zhongyan Puhua Industrial Research Institute, China's air transport industry will maintain an average annual growth rate of about 10 percent, the number of airports per million square kilometers will increase significantly, various indicators, such as flight density and passenger traffic, will increase rapidly, and China will strengthen its position as an important aviation market in the world.