China’s first self-developed large commercial aircraft, the C919, successfully completed its first commercial flight from Shanghai to Beijing on 28 May, marking its official entry into the civil aviation market.
The first flight, operated by China Eastern Airlines, took off as MU9191 at 10:32 a.m. from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport with 130 passengers on board. The plane was greeted with a traditional water salute after touching down at Beijing Capital International Airport at 12:31 p.m. on Sunday.
The C919 is China’s first self-developed trunk jetliner in accordance with international airworthiness standards and owns independent intellectual property rights.
The C919 project was launched in 2007. Developed by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC), the first C919 aircraft rolled off the production line in Shanghai in November 2015. In 2017, the plane accomplished its maiden flight.