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China’s C919 passenger plane

The C919 is China’s home-grown, narrowbody passenger jet designed to carry 158 to192 passengers and compete with Boeing’s 737 and Airbus’ A320. Built by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac), a state-owned company based in Shanghai, the C919 completed its first commercial flight at the end of May 2023.

last updated:

9 September, 2024

The C919 is China’s first home-grown narrowbody passanger jet. Photo: CAAC

China airliners

With China’s C919 flying high, local governments scramble to cash in

Regions are racing to sign deals with suppliers for the new aircraft, with hundreds of planes set to be built over the next few years.

10 Dec 2024 - 4:54PMvideocam

China airliners

China’s C919 order backlog raises urgency for foreign-part acquisitions

20 Nov 2024 - 10:43AMvideocam

China airliners

With China’s C919 flying high, factory visits aim to replicate Boeing’s success

20 Nov 2024 - 10:48AMvideocam

China airliners

Explainer | China’s 4 commercial jets unboxed: from the rebranded C909 to a futuristic C939

More details about China’s home-grown passenger planes emerge at Zhuhai air show, with new sales and lofty aviation ambitions on display.

20 Nov 2024 - 10:49AMvideocam

A crowd looks on as China’ss domestically produced C909 passenger jet lands at an air show in Nanchang in the central Jiangxi province. Photo: AFP

China airliners

China’s widebody C929 jet lands first buyer at top-flight Zhuhai air show

The home-grown C929, still under development, was the subject of a preliminary purchase agreement at China’s premier air show.

10 Dec 2024 - 6:35PMvideocam

China manufacturing

China’s C919 set to soar higher as key engine provider vows stable supplies

Assurance comes at critical time for Comac’s plans to ramp up production, as supply chain issues plague global aircraft manufacturers.

11 Dec 2024 - 9:27AM

China technology

Opinion | China can be a force in global aviation if Comac rises to challenges

Boeing’s and Airbus’ issues give the Chinese planemaker an opening, but geopolitics may affect certification in the US and Europe.

10 Nov 2024 - 9:30AMvideocam

The first C919 aircraft of China Southern Airlines arrives at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in Guangdong province on August 29. The Chinese jet is designed to compete with Boeing’s 737 and Airbus’ A320 planes. Photo: Xinhua

Hong Kong

C919 manufacturer expands footprint with Hong Kong office, maintenance deal

Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, the manufacturer of the home-grown C919 jet, opened an office in Hong Kong on Wednesday.

31 Oct 2024 - 6:28PMvideocam

China economy

China’s C919 maker revs up Boeing, Airbus rivalry with Singapore office

Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China opened an office in Singapore to ensure closer and more comprehensive services in the region.

30 Oct 2024 - 7:00PMvideocam

Aerospace: Companies

C919 tour gives students a glimpse of China’s ‘road to take-off’

Students shown the final assembly of China’s C919 home-grown passenger jet as its manufacturing base in Shanghai.

24 Oct 2024 - 5:00PM

A tour group during a tour of the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China’s manufacturing base in Pudong. Photo: Mandy Zuo

China-Asean relations

China eyes route for C919 into Southeast Asia, with landlocked Laos on the radar

China said it appreciated Laos’ interest in and intention to cooperate on Chinese commercial aircraft without naming the C919 or ARJ21.

15 Oct 2024 - 1:51PMvideocam

Comac’s C919 and ARJ21 at Van Don international airport in Vietnam. Photo: Facebook/Van Don International Airport

China economy

Mentor or rival? China takes notes from Brazilian giant Embraer as C919 soars

Aviation exchanges are expected as President Xi Jinping visits Brazil next month.

7 Oct 2024 - 11:06PMvideocam

Aviation

China’s home-grown C919 reaches new heights with flight to ‘roof of the world’

C919 ‘smoothly landed’ at one of the highest airports in the world in western China on Thursday ahead of a series of ‘research and development test flights’.

25 Sep 2024 - 6:20PM

China economy

Is China’s first home-grown passenger jet profitable? Analysts weigh in

China Eastern Airlines, Air China and China Southern Airlines have all taken delivery of the home-grown C919 narrowbody passenger jet.

25 Sep 2024 - 6:24PM

(240829) -- GUANGZHOU, Aug. 29, 2024 (Xinhua) -- The first C919 aircraft delivered to China Southern Airlines receives a ceremonial water salute on its arrival at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport. Photo: Xinhua

China manufacturing

As Boeing flails, does China’s C919 jet have ‘window of opportunity’?

Home-grown airliner is ‘pillar and pioneer’ in China’s race to rival Western aviation giants, but challenges remain, state media says.

1 Sep 2024 - 9:48PMvideocam

Air China crew pose with the airline’s first C919 jet on Thursday, shortly after its arrival at Beijing Capital International Airport. Photo: Xinhua

China manufacturing

Delivery milestone as China’s home-grown C919 passenger jet spreads its wings

First deliveries of China’s home-grown C919 narrowbody passenger jet to Air China and China Southern Airlines are set to be made on Wednesday.

7 Oct 2024 - 12:20PMvideocam

Hong Kong

China’s C919 jet gets R&D lift as Comac, HKUST agree to personnel partnership

China’s state-owned aerospace manufacturer has agreed to personnel training and exchanges with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

21 Aug 2024 - 5:31PMvideocam

China economy

Waiting in the wings: Shanghai’s plane swap plan likely includes China’s C919

In a recent plan suggesting its airlines replace their older aircraft by 2027, Shanghai has opened the door for newer models – like China’s home-grown planes – to repopulate the city’s sizeable fleets.

9 Aug 2024 - 6:30PMvideocam

Shanghai’s government has encouraged airlines based in the city to begin replacing the older models in their fleets. Photo: Weibo

China economy

Exclusive | After regulators’ ‘positive’ response, China’s C919 edges closer to EU landing

Following a hands-on visit, positive feedback from regulators has raised hope China’s C919 jet may be cleared for operations in Europe.

10 Aug 2024 - 2:10AMvideocam

Aviation

China wants more overseas buyers for C919. Can Southeast Asia help it soar?

Indonesia and Brunei are firmly on China’s radar as it seeks to expand the reach of its C919 and ARJ21 passenger jets.

30 Jul 2024 - 10:29AMvideocam

Aviation

Explainer | Here are the 4 civilian aircraft behind China’s sky-high aviation ambitions

The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China has put two passenger planes in the air and has lofty ambitions for home-grown production.

30 Jul 2024 - 9:23AMvideocam

China’s C919 plane debuted in May 2023 as part of China Eastern Airlines fleet. Photo: Weibo

China economy

China’s aircraft nexus pushes to ‘greatly improve’ C919 production

Shanghai is seeking to usher in a boom in aircraft manufacturing and development with a raft of fresh policies to support production of China’s C919.

17 Jul 2024 - 7:30PMvideocam

Shanghai has vowed to form a world-leading industrial chain comprising 60 key enterprises by the end of 2026, with investment exceeding 70 billion yuan (US$9.7 billion). Photo: CAAC

China economy

Exclusive | With planned visit from EU regulators, China’s C919 jet noses towards approval

In a step towards international certification for China’s C919 passenger jet, European officials will make a visit next month to get a closer look at the aircraft and its assembly.

25 Jun 2024 - 11:44AMvideocam

China economy

China readies plane research renewal as C919 celebrates first year of flights

After one year of commercial flights for its home-grown C919, China has established a new research fund to fuel the development of new planes and the domestic production of parts to keep them running.

18 Jun 2024 - 4:41AMvideocam

Aviation

Editorial | First year of smooth flying for China’s C919 passenger jet

While the C919 still has far to go before it can seriously consider itself a rival to Boeing or Airbus, the commercial case for its success is strong.

8 Jun 2024 - 5:58AMvideocam

China’s Comac C919 airplane sits on the tarmac at the Singapore Airshow. Photo: AFP

Aviation

How China’s C919 is faring a year after maiden flight

29 May 2024 - 3:30PM

03:44

Aviation

Inside China’s C919, and why it’s great for short passengers – a reporter’s take

Production of China’s home-grown narrowbody jet is getting big upgrades and offering intensive training to pilots and cabin crew, while steps are under way to make the C919 ‘an even more Chinese jet’.

29 May 2024 - 9:14AMvideocam

China economy

Why China ‘has a lot of convincing to do’ before its C919 jet flies overseas

The C919, China’s home-grown commercial jet, has completed a year of passenger flights. Will it receive airworthiness certification from the Western countries currently sanctioning trade and tech in other fields?

29 May 2024 - 9:13AMvideocam

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