2023-05-28 18:31:45
The first aircraft produced by China, the Comac C919, made its first commercial flight this Sunday, May 28. A flight that raises hope for the country, which wishes to compete with the giants of civil aviation, Airbus and Boeing.
This is a great first for China. After having long relied on Russia’s old Tupolevs, as well as the Franco-German and American Airbuses and Boeings respectively, Chinese aviation now has its Chinese-designed airliner: the Comac C919. The latter made its inaugural commercial flight this Sunday, May 28.
A “memorable” flight
Before takeoff, state media showed dozens of passengers gathered at Shanghai airport to admire the sleek white aircraft. The latter then boarded the aircraft which, after taxiing on the runway, took off. The plane, in the colors of China Eastern Airlines and flight number MU9191, took off from Hongqiao airport in Shanghai, with 130 passengers on board out of the 164 it can accommodate. After just over half an hour of flight, the craft landed “smoothly” at Beijing Capital International Airport about 40 minutes early around 12:30 p.m. local time, according to CCTV.
After landing, several passengers confided in their feelings during the flight, described as “extremely fluid, comfortable and memorable” by one of them to the Chinese press. All passengers received red boarding passes and enjoyed a lavish themed meal on board to celebrate the event, CCTV said.
In struggle with Airbus and Boeing
From this Monday, May 29, the Comac C919 will be mobilized in China to make a regular connection between Shanghai and Chengdu, a city located in the south of the country, with China Eastern Airlines.
China, which is seeking to become self-sufficient in the technology sector, has invested heavily in the production of this first Chinese-designed airliner. Although built by Comac, a state-owned company, many parts making up the airliner come from abroad. However, the company is aiming high: Zhang Yujin, deputy chief executive of Comac, told the government-backed news outlet The Paper in January that the company had registered more than 1,200 orders for its device.
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