Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Ritter to Al Mayadeen: Trump has put the international community in a state of threat
Ritter to Al Mayadeen: Trump's theatrical demonstration to save face, but he achieved nothing noteworthy
Democratic Representative Nancy Pelosi: Trump ignored the Constitution in his strikes on Iran
Scott Ritter to Al Mayadeen: Trump’s strikes on Iran are a sow of force
National Nuclear Safety System Center statement: Radiation detection systems reported no signs of contamination, according to recorded data
Iran’s National Nuclear Safety System Center: There is no threat to residents living near the Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear facilities
Saudi Arabia's Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Authority: No radiation leak detected after US attack on Iran's nuclear facilities
Iranian Parliament Member Manan Raisi: No damage has been recorded to underground facilities, and there is no radiation leak
Ansar Allah Political Bureau: The aggression against Iran is a flagrant violation of all international laws and conventions
IRNA:Local residents near Fordow reported no signs of a major explosion

China’s C919 passenger jet makes first commercial flight

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 28 May 2023 07:46
3 Min Read

The C919 is China's first domestically produced passenger jet.

  • x
  • The C919 passenger jet at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport. (chinadaily)
    The C919 passenger jet at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (China Daily)

China's first domestically made passenger aircraft lifted off on its inaugural commercial flight, marking a watershed moment in the country's drive to reach for the skies.

Beijing hopes that the C919 commercial jetliner will challenge Western models like the Boeing 737 MAX and the Airbus A320.

Its first homegrown jetliner with mass commercial potential would also cut the country's reliance on foreign technology.

"In the future, most passengers will be able to choose to travel by large, domestically produced aircraft," state broadcaster CCTV said.

China Eastern Airlines flight MU9191 reached the skies above Shanghai Hongqiao Airport on Sunday morning, footage from CCTV showcased, and was due to land in Beijing in the early afternoon. 

The plane is carrying over 130 passengers, as per CCTV.

Hundreds of passengers gathered at the sun-drenched Shanghai runway to ogle the sleek white plane, according to footage published by official media.

They then filed into the narrow-body plane which taxied to the runway prior to its take-off.

Passengers were given red boarding cards and would be treated to a delicious "themed meal" to remember the journey, CCTV added.

Related News

China condemns 'Israel' in Geneva, urging UN to establish a ceasefire

Putin, Xi condemn Israeli war on Iran, call for diplomatic solution

A 'milestone' 

China has made significant investments in domestic jet manufacture as part of its efforts to become self-sufficient in vital technologies.

It is worth noting that the aircraft is made by the state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC).

The C919 will operate on China Eastern's regular route between Shanghai and the southwestern city of Chengdu starting Monday, CCTV reported.

Last year, the first model of the narrow-body plane, which seats 164 passengers, was formally handed over to China Eastern during a ceremony at a Shanghai airport, which state media hailed as "an important milestone" for the country's aircraft sector.

Zhang Yujin, COMAC's deputy general manager, told state-backed Shanghai outlet The Paper in January that the company had taken around 1,200 orders for the C919.

Zhang stated at the time that COMAC intended to boost yearly production capacity to 150 models within five years.

Asia, and particularly China, are significant goals for both Airbus and its American rival Boeing, who are trying to capitalize on the country's expanding middle-class demand for air travel.

Airbus said last month that it will increase its production capacity in China, securing a contract to build a second final assembly line for the A320 in Tianjin.

The first assembly plant in the northern city launched in 2008 and now produces four A320s each month, with Airbus planning to expand that to six by the end of the year.

Read next: US losing to China in semiconductor race: Expert

  • China
  • passenger jet
  • boeing
  • China’s C919

Most Read

Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

  • MENA
  • 17 Jun 2025
Rescue team work at the site where a missile launched from Iran struck Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, June 16, 2025 (AP)

Wave 12 of Operation True Promise 3 launched, Sejjil deployed: IRGC

  • Politics
  • 18 Jun 2025
Iran launches missile barrage to Tel Aviv, casualties reported

True Promise 3, wave 14: Tel Aviv targeted, casualties reported

  • Politics
  • 19 Jun 2025
Iran's heavy barrages impact multiple Israeli targets overnight

Iran's heavy barrages impact multiple Israeli targets overnight

  • Palestine
  • 18 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Iran’s Bavar-373 air defense system on display during a military drill (Mehr News Agency)
Politics

Iran intercepts Israeli drones near Tehran, multiple cities

The Israeli Iron Dome air defense system fires to intercept missiles during an Iranian attack over Tel Aviv, Occupied Palestine, Sunday, June 15, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran warns aid to 'Israel' will be treated as aggression

US President Donald Trump arrives to board Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Friday, June 20, 2025, en route to Montclair, New Jersey (AP)
Politics

Trump, Erdogan made covert attempts to hold talks with Iran: Axios

Ansar Allah supporters surround a giant Iranian flag during an anti-US and anti-'Israel' weekly rally in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, June 20, 2025 (AP)
Politics

US ships in Red Sea will be targeted if US attacks Iran: YAF

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS