Instead of Boeings and Airbuses: China sent its first plane into the sky

China begins to reduce dependence on Western aviation industry

In China, the first Chinese-made passenger aircraft took off for its first commercial flight. However, although Beijing hopes to reduce its dependence on foreign technology, many parts of the C919 liner come from abroad. But, as they say, the beginning of trouble is the beginning – the Chinese are still ahead.

The first Chinese-made passenger plane made its first commercial flight on Sunday, marking a milestone in the country’s years-long effort to compete with Western rivals in the air.

Beijing hopes the C919 commercial jet will challenge overseas models such as the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320, although many parts of the Chinese aircraft are sourced from abroad, Agence France-Press reported.

The first domestic jetliner with massive commercial potential would also reduce China’s dependence on foreign technology as ties with the West worsen.

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

China Eastern Airlines Flight MU9191 took off over Shanghai’s Hongqiao Airport on Sunday morning, CCTV footage showed. According to the TV company, there are more than 130 passengers on board the aircraft.

Passengers received red boarding passes and enjoyed a sumptuous “themed dinner” to commemorate the flight, CCTV reported.

China has invested heavily in domestic jet production as it seeks to become self-sufficient in key technologies, Agence France-Press tells Agence France-Press, noting that although the aircraft is manufactured by China’s state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation (COMAC), many of its parts, including engines, come from China. abroad.

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

The first narrow-body jet aircraft, which can seat 164 passengers, was officially handed over to China Eastern last year during a ceremony at Shanghai airport that state media described as a “major milestone” for the country’s aviation industry.

Zhang Yujin, deputy general manager of COMAC, told state-backed Shanghai publication The Paper in January that the company had taken about 1,200 orders for C919 aircraft.

At the time, COMAC planned to increase its annual production capacity to 150 models within five years, Zhang said.

Asia – and China in particular – are key targets for both Airbus and its US rival Boeing, which are looking to capitalize on the growing demand for air travel from the country’s large middle class.

Last month, Airbus said it would double its manufacturing capacity in China by signing an agreement to build a second A320 final assembly line in Tianjin.

The first assembly site in the northern city opened in 2008 and is producing four A320s a month, with Airbus hoping to increase that to six a month by the end of the year.