The C919 aircraft, designed and built in China, made its first commercial flight today, according to state media.

The China Eastern Airlines medium-haul passenger aircraft took off from Shanghai Hyogchao Airport at 10:32 (local time; 05:32 Greek time) and landed around 8:00 Greek time in Beijing. China’s state television network CCTV broadcast live the moment of takeoff, marking its official entry into the civil aviation market.

COMAC began developing the aircraft fifteen years ago as part of the Asian giant’s drive to become more self-sufficient. It is considered competitive with the A320neo (Airbus) and 737 MAX (Boeing). Chinese President Xi Jinping called this an important and innovative achievement for his country.

China Eastern ordered five aircraft of this type in March 2021 and received the first one in December. The rest he expects within a year.

In total, according to the company, domestic carriers have ordered more than 1,200 aircraft of this type from COMAC. For C919, the Chinese market is characterized as sufficient. However, its export prospects are unclear, as it has not yet been certified by European and US regulators (EASA and FAA, respectively). COMAC predicts that production will reach 150 samples in five years.

Source: APE-ME, AFP, REUTERS, XINHUA.