▲ China's domestically produced C919 passenger aircraft
China's independently developed C919 medium-range passenger jet has operated its first international route.
While China is challenging the global passenger aircraft market dominated by Boeing and Airbus, critics note that significant hurdles remain before it can make a full-fledged entry into overseas markets, as it has yet to secure airworthiness certification from European and U.S. aviation authorities.
According to China's state-run Xinhua News Agency and other sources on August 13, a C919 operated by Air China departed from Beijing Capital International Airport the previous afternoon and arrived at Chinggis Khaan International Airport in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia.
This marks the first time the C919, which began commercial operations in 2023, has been deployed on an international route.
Air China plans to operate a daily round-trip flight on this route moving forward.
The C919 is China's first domestically developed narrow-body passenger aircraft, designed to compete with the Boeing 737 from the United States and the Airbus A320 from Europe.
It was first delivered to China Eastern Airlines in December 2022 and began commercial operations in May of the following year.
As of last June, a total of 40 aircraft had been delivered, with Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines operating the C919 across 58 routes connecting 25 cities.
Cumulative passenger numbers have surpassed 7.5 million.
China is also accelerating efforts to push the C919 into overseas markets.
The C919 participated in demonstration flights at the Singapore Airshow in 2024 and earlier this year, and made its debut at the Dubai Airshow in November of last year.
However, to break into overseas markets in earnest, it must clear the high hurdle of international airworthiness certification.
The C919 currently lacks airworthiness certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) or the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Because many countries require EASA or FAA airworthiness certification for aircraft operated by their domestic airlines, aviation industry experts point out that securing certification from these agencies is crucial for expanding sales outside of China.
Florian Guillermet, Executive Director of EASA, stated last year that completing the C919 certification process could take 3 to 6 years.
Chen Jianguo, an expert in China's civil aviation industry, noted, "While EASA or FAA certification is not an absolute prerequisite for entering overseas markets, securing international airworthiness certification is one of the most necessary conditions for the C919 to compete in the global market."
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
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