Kathmandu— China's independently developed C919 large passenger aircraft completed its first scheduled international commercial flight on Wednesday, landing safely in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia after departing from Beijing. The Air China flight CA723 signifies the opening of the C919’s first international route following its initial commercial operation in May 2023 and demonstrates that the aircraft has met bilateral international civil aviation standards for regular passenger service. The one hour and forty-one minute flight was celebrated with a water salute ceremony and traditional Mongolian cultural performances for disembarking passengers.

Inaugural Flight Details

The C919 departed from Beijing Capital International Airport at approximately 3 p.m. local time on Wednesday, arriving in Ulaanbaatar to a welcoming celebration. The new route, designated CA723/CA724, will operate as a daily scheduled service connecting the two capitals. Passengers were greeted with a performance of traditional Mongolian dance and attendants dressed in national attire upon arrival.

Significance for Chinese Aviation

Analysts view this flight as a pivotal moment for China’s aviation industry, representing a step towards global recognition for domestically produced large passenger aircraft. Tian Linchuan, assistant researcher at the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, stated that stable operation of cross-border flights demonstrates the C919 has reached an advanced level comparable to its international counterparts in terms of safety, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. He anticipates this will establish standards for future route expansions into Southeast Asia and Central Asia.

Domestic Success Paves Way for International Expansion

The C919 entered commercial service domestically on May 28, 2023, and has since been operated by Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines. As of August 10th, the aircraft had served 57 routes connecting 25 cities and transported over 7.5 million passengers. With the addition of the Beijing-Ulaanbaatar route, the C919 now serves 58 routes linking 26 cities. The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), the jet’s developer, currently operates 12 of these aircraft and aims to reach an annual production capacity of 200 by 2029.

Aircraft Development and Standards

The C919 is China's first self-developed trunk jetliner built in accordance with international airworthiness standards and possessing independent intellectual property rights. Years of successful domestic operations have provided a foundation for its expansion into the international market, supported by increasing production capacity.

With this initial international route established, COMAC aims to expand C919 service to additional destinations, further solidifying China’s presence in the global aviation sector.

(With inputs from Xinhua)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.