The first Chinese-made airliner took to the air on its maiden commercial flight, a symbolic moment for China’s technological independence after years of delays in the project.
The single-aisle C919 flew from Shanghai to Beijing on Sunday after more than a decade in development and backing from Beijing with an estimated $72 billion.
The plane boosts the aspirations of Chinese leader Xi Jinping as he aims to achieve technological self-sufficiency in China amid heightened trade tensions with the United States. The outlook for China’s airliner industry, albeit long-term, could pose a threat to the Boeing-Airbus duopoly.
The C919 was built by state-backed space champion COMAC, and its maiden flight was operated by national carrier China Eastern Airlines. Domestic media called the event a “day to remember”, noting that by the end of 2022, COMAC had received more than 1,000 orders from 32 customers.
“The successful development of the C919 shows that China has the ability to independently develop large passenger aircraft,” said Xinhua, the state news agency.
Although the project has been underway since 2008, with the first flight planned for 2014, recent months have been exciting as the jet has gained regulatory approval in China and is nearing commercial operation.
In October, President Xi met the C919 development team at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, praising the team as “the backbone of the country” and a “hero”.
Xi Jinping said at the time: “The flying of Chinese airliners in the sky is the will of the country, the dream of the nation, and the expectation of the people.” Revival”.
Analysts said they expected COMAC to start eating into Boeing and Airbus’ market share in China’s massive aviation market as well as in some developing countries. However, C919 has no regulatory approval in the US or Europe.
Analysts also pointed out that the plane relies on Western suppliers for key components. That raises the possibility that the airline industry could be embroiled in tightening controls on U.S. technology exports to China that have hit the country’s chipmakers.
Aviation safety has faced fresh scrutiny in China since last March when China Eastern Airlines Flight MU5735, a Boeing 737 with 132 people on board, crashed in southern Guangxi, killing all on board.
As the C919 made its maiden flight on Sunday, state media highlighted the jet’s safety credentials, including tests in extreme natural environments including heat, humidity, freezing temperatures, gusts of wind and freezing conditions.
“Its safety, reliability and environmental performance have been comprehensively evaluated,” Xinhua said.