China's domestically built C919 jet launches inaugural international service to Mongolia
A Chinese-made Comac C919 took off from Beijing for Ulaanbaatar, marking its first commercial international route.
On Wednesday, an Air China-operated Comac C919 left Beijing for Ulaanbaatar, becoming the first Chinese-built passenger jet to fly a commercial international route. The aircraft, similar in size to a Boeing 737, has been serving Chinese domestic airlines since 2023 but has yet to secure certification from European or U.S. regulators. Experts such as Scott Kennedy and Kyle Chan argue the flight is a public-relations exercise, highlighting the plane’s dependence on Western parts and the long road ahead to compete with the Boeing-Airbus duopoly.
China’s ambition to field its own large jet dates back to a 2015 unveiling, with officials like Li Jiaxiang emphasizing national prestige, while aviation specialist Zhang Yanzhong warns that reliance on foreign technology threatens strategic security. Despite modest sales—only 15 deliveries last year—Comac hopes the international debut will bolster confidence among airlines and passengers.
Why it matters
The flight shows China's push to reduce reliance on foreign aircraft, a key step for its strategic and commercial aviation goals.
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