China Eastern Airlines has further solidified its commitment to innovation and domestic aviation development by inaugurating the third commercial route for its domestically-produced C919 passenger aircraft. Connecting Shanghai Hongqiao Airport with Xi’an Xianyang Airport, this new line began servicing passengers on March 8, marking another milestone in China’s aviation history.
Previously, China Eastern had launched commercial routes from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport to Chengdu Tianfu Airport and Beijing Daxing Airport, showcasing the C919’s growing presence in the country’s air travel network.
Since the C919’s maiden commercial flight on May 28, 2023, China Eastern Airlines has amassed over 29 hours of flight time with its C919 aircraft, covering 272 commercial flights and transporting more than 131,000 passengers.
This expansion highlights the airline’s ongoing efforts to support Chinese innovation by integrating the C919—a symbol of China’s aerospace achievement—into its fleet. The C919’s successful deployment across these key domestic routes underscores China’s strides towards self-reliance in aviation technology and its ambition to compete on the global stage.
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, chinatravelnews.com
