China's first domestically-manufactured passenger jet completes maiden commercial flight

State TV captured the historic moment as the C919 took off from Shanghai and embarked on its journey to Beijing early on Sunday.

Developed by the Commercial Aviation Corporation of China (Comac), the aircraft aims to challenge the market dominance of industry giants Airbus and Boeing in the single-aisle jet category.

While the C919 boasts a seating capacity of 164 passengers, it still relies heavily on Western components, including engines and avionics. This underscores China's current reliance on foreign technology within the aviation sector.

Impressively, the Shanghai-Beijing leg of the journey, carrying over 130 passengers, was accomplished in under three hours, highlighting the aircraft's capabilities and efficiency.

This achievement represents a significant milestone for China's aviation industry, showcasing the nation's determination to establish itself as a key player in the global aerospace market.

With the successful debut of the C919, China takes a notable step forward in its pursuit of aviation self-sufficiency and technological advancement. (ILKHA)