In a groundbreaking event, China’s domestically developed C919 passenger aircraft soared over Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong on Saturday, marking the inaugural flight of a domestic commercial aircraft over the city. The spectacle garnered applause from both locals and visitors.
Taking off from the airport at approximately 10:26 on Saturday morning, the C919 reached Victoria Harbour about 20 minutes later. The aircraft, flying from west to east, circled Hong Kong Island twice, as reported by Now News.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu shared the moment on social media, describing it as a “historic moment of C919 Aircraft soaring over Victoria Harbour.” He expressed excitement and encouraged the public to participate in the “C919 Aircraft Hong Kong Flight Demonstration” photography competition.
Numerous Hong Kong residents and visitors expressed their pride and excitement at witnessing the domestically developed C919 passenger aircraft soaring over the city’s skyline.
Legislative Council member and solicitor Junius Ho Kwan-yiu, who recently toured the C919 in Hong Kong, hailed it as a milestone in China’s civil aviation development. He praised the spacious design and comfort of the aircraft.
The C919, accompanied by an ARJ21, received a ceremonial water salute from Hong Kong International Airport upon its arrival in the city on December 12. The visit is part of an exhibition showcasing the civil technology innovation achievements of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), Commercial Aircraft Corp of China (COMAC), and local partners in Hong Kong.
The C919’s commercial operations, initiated in May, have been steadily progressing. As of December 12, it has completed approximately 580 flights, serving nearly 72,000 passengers with a total flight duration of around 1,460 hours.
China Eastern Airlines, which put the C919 into regular service in May, has expressed satisfaction with its reliability, stability, and operational costs. The airline recently signed a purchase agreement with COMAC, expanding its commitment to the C919 by ordering an additional 100 large passenger aircraft.
Brunei-based GallopAir also joined the list of international buyers, signing a deal for 30 aircraft from COMAC, including the C919.
With the number of C919 orders approaching 1,200 units, COMAC anticipates an annual production capacity of 150 aircraft within the next five years. The growth of the trillion-dollar-level large aircraft industry chain is expected to be significant, particularly with the projected expansion of the Chinese aviation market over the next two decades. According to a COMAC report, the market is expected to receive 9,084 aircraft with seating capacity above 50 passengers, amounting to an estimated market size of around $1.4 trillion.