The C919 aircraft, China's first self-developed large passenger aircraft, completed its commercial debut flight on May 28, a milestone in China's aircraft industry.
The flight was carried out by China Eastern Air Holding Co. Ltd (China Eastern) with the world's first C919 large jet delivered by Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC).
Nearly 130 passengers traveled on flight MU9191, taking off from the Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport at 10:32 am and landing at the Beijing Capital International Airport at 12:31 pm. The plane was welcomed with a traditional water salute.
A view of the C919 China-developed large passenger aircraft that embarked on its first commercial flight on May 28 [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
According to China Eastern, the company has completed verification test flight and full-passenger operation as well as high-quality preparation for the first flight.
The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has also authorized and inspected all the results of the tests and verification procedures, and confirmed that China Eastern was capable of operating C919 aircraft safely.
It is worth noting that China Eastern has also established special departments for operation, management and maintenance of the jet and service on board. The first C919 jet is scheduled to fly the route between Shanghai and Chengdu in Southwest China's Sichuan Province. More routes will be added later.
C919 large passenger plane is the first trunk jetliner developed by China in accordance with the international airworthiness standard. China maintains its proprietary intellectual property rights.
The development of the jet was launched in 2007. It completed its maiden flight in 2017. On Sept 29, 2022, the jet obtained the type certificate from the CAAC and on Dec 9 the same year, China Eastern became the world's first buyer of the C919 jet and received the jet from COMAC.
As the world's first airline to operate the C919 jet, China Eastern has made the jet into a new carrier, platform and scenario that can reflect high-quality development of the civil aviation.
It installed 20 12-inch screens in the cabin, which can play high-resolution 1080P movies. The company specially made a safety instruction video for C919 which is in line with devices and characteristics of the jet while integrating traditional Chinese elements.
The China-made new-generation passenger seats were also installed on board, bringing passengers better travel experience with comfortable design.
In the future, China Eastern will join hands with various parties to focus on high-quality and refined operation of the jet and make it a model of large-scale commercial operation of the C919 jet, contributing to the development of China’s large jet industry.
(Executive editor: Xie Yunxiao)
