China achieved a significant milestone in its efforts to compete with Western aircraft manufacturers as the country's first domestically produced passenger jet successfully completed its inaugural commercial flight on Sunday.
The C919 commercial jetliner, Beijing's answer to models like the Boeing 737 MAX and the Airbus A320, took to the skies amid hopes that it will challenge its foreign counterparts. Although the C919 incorporates components sourced from abroad, this achievement marks a step toward reducing China's reliance on foreign technology amid deteriorating relations with the West.
State broadcaster CCTV expressed optimism, stating that in the future, passengers will have the option to travel on large domestically manufactured aircraft. The maiden commercial flight, operated by China Eastern Airlines, departed from Shanghai and arrived smoothly in Beijing ahead of schedule, delighting the passengers on board.
The aircraft, carrying 130 passengers, was showcased in footage capturing the plane's ascent into the sky from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport. Passengers at the airfield marveled at the sleek white jet before embarking, receiving red boarding passes and a special commemorative meal for the occasion.
China's investment in the production of this homegrown jet underscores its ambition to achieve self-sufficiency in critical technologies.
The C919 is manufactured by the state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), although many of its parts, including the engines, are sourced from overseas. Zhang Xiaoguang, COMAC's director of marketing and sales, described the flight as a "coming-of-age ceremony" for the new aircraft, highlighting the importance of market success for its future development.
Following the successful debut, the C919 will commence regular operations on the Shanghai-Chengdu route for China Eastern Airlines.
Last year, the first model of the narrow-body jet was officially handed over to China Eastern, marking a significant milestone for the country's aircraft industry.
Zhang Yujin, COMAC's deputy general manager, revealed that the company has received approximately 1,200 orders for the C919 and plans to increase its annual production capacity to 150 models within the next five years.
China's rapid growth and expanding middle class have attracted the attention of major aircraft manufacturers like Airbus and Boeing, who seek to capitalize on the increasing demand for air travel in the region. Last month, Airbus announced plans to double its production capacity in China, signing an agreement to establish a second final assembly line for the A320 in Tianjin.
The existing assembly site in the northern city has been producing four A320s per month since 2008, with the goal of increasing the output to six per month by year-end.
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