Beijing, 27 May 2023 (GNP): According to China Eastern Airlines, the first China-made commercial aircraft, known as C919, will fly from Shanghai to Beijing on Sunday. The information provider VariFlight has said that the flight will last around 2 hours and 25 minutes.
China Eastern, a leading airline company, and Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) announced the successful signing of a purchase agreement in March 2021. Thus, the agreement solidifies the acquisition of five state-of-the-art C919 passenger aircraft.
Having the agreement signed, China Eastern officials then confirmed that the first C919 aircraft was delivered to China Eastern at the close of 2022 and is slated to enter commercial service in the near future.”
By selecting Shanghai as the main base for C919 operations, China Eastern aims to leverage the city’s strategic location and robust infrastructure to optimize the efficiency of its C919 operations.
Shanghai’s position as a major transportation hub will enhance the airline’s connectivity and allow for seamless integration of the C919 aircraft into its existing flight network.
Moreover, China Eastern remains committed to closely monitoring the performance and suitability of the C919 aircraft during its initial operations.
Based on actual operating conditions and careful planning, the airline will make informed decisions about acquiring additional C919s to meet the growing demands of its aviation network.
Last December, China Eastern started conducting 100 hours of C919 verification flights to establish a strong base for future commercial flights with the aircraft. The purpose of the verification process was to ensure the safe operation of C919, including its applicability and operability of policies, standards, regulations, and procedures.
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Furthermore, COMAC, the manufacturer, stated in January that they anticipate reaching an annual production capacity of 150 C919 planes within five years. They have already secured over 1,200 orders for the aircraft.
