News Business China's first passenger plane makes maiden flight today

China's first passenger plane makes maiden flight today

China's first large homemade passenger jet C919 made its maiden flight from Shanghai today.

C919 C919 - File Photo

China's first large homemade passenger jet C919 made its maiden flight from Shanghai today.

The maiden flight of the Chinese jet,  touted as a competitor to Boeing and Airbus, signalled Beijing's entry into the global aviation industry.

The 158-seater C919 took to the skies from Shanghai Pudong International Airport and made China the fourth jumbo jet producer after the US, Europe and Russia.

The twin-engine plane departed with five crew members on board but without any passengers.

The "C" in the aircraft's name stands for both China and COMAC, while 9 symbolises "forever" in Chinese culture and 19 represents the maximum 190 seats capacity.

With a standard range of 4,075 kilometres, the narrow- body jet is comparable with updated Airbus 320 and Boeing's new generation 737, signalling the country's entry into the global aviation mark, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

 

It also marks a milestone for the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), the Shanghai-based manufacturer of the C919, it said.

China in recent times has been making big breakthroughs in aviation with new fighter aircraft, including a stealth aircraft, but this is the first time it came out with a

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