C919

China’s First Domestically Produced Passenger Plane Enters into Service

China’s first large indigenous passenger plane on Sunday, May 28, 2023, completed its inaugural commercial flight with China Eastern Airlines.

The C919, built by the Shangai-based Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), flew from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport to Beijing Capital International Airport on Sunday, state-run Global Times newspaper reported, citing the airline’s flight schedule.

Flight MU 9191 will be spanning the country’s most busiest route lasting 2 hours and 25 minutes.

State-owned COMAC had delivered the first C919 aircraft to China Eastern Airlines on Dec. 9, 2022.

It has a range of 4,075-5,555 kilometers (2,532-3,451 miles) and, with a layout of between 158 and 192 seats, was developed to compete against Boeing’s 737 and Airbus’ A320 series.

However, the 164-seater still relies heavily on Western components, including engines and avionics, reports BBC.

State-backed China Eastern Airline has ordered five of the newer, bigger planes.

Comac – which plans to produce 150 planes annually in five years’ time – says it has already secured more than 1,200 orders for the C919. (AA)

 

 

 
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