This aircraft, regarded as a testament to China's advancements in technology and manufacturing, achieved a significant milestone on Thursday by transporting a total of 1 million passengers since its first commercial flight in May 2023.
The swift deployment of the C919 will serve as a crucial evaluation of its performance as it aims to establish itself as a dependable competitor to the single-aisle models offered by Boeing and Airbus. The increase in flight frequency presents various challenges, from operational deployment to maintenance.
"An increase in flights connecting more cities will provide real-world assessments for the jet, while also enhancing its visibility," noted aviation consultant Li Hanming.
China Eastern Airlines was the first airline to introduce the new aircraft into its operations.
Since then, the C919 has quickly expanded its reach to various destinations across China, as its manufacturer, the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac), has intensified production efforts.
As of early December, three Chinese airlines—China Eastern, China Southern, and Air China—were operating a combined total of 14 C919 aircraft, with hundreds more on order.
Everything about the C919 is under the microscope
Li Hanming, aviation consultant
These jets are already in regular service between China's primary gateway cities: Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou, which collectively served 292 million passengers in the first 11 months of 2024.
Additionally, they are operating on routes to regional destinations such as Chongqing, Chengdu, Wuhan, Xi'an, Hangzhou, and Taiyuan. Recently, Haikou, the capital of Hainan province, became the 10th city to receive C919 flights.
These cities represent some of the most prominent and lucrative markets in China, with seven out of the ten being among the largest municipal economies in 2023.
"Routes connecting and departing from the three main hubs are the most frequent and profitable," noted Li. "The C919 aims to establish its presence in a highly competitive market."
Comac is optimistic that the expanding network and visibility of the C919 will bolster its efforts to gain certification from Western regulators.
"A greater number of carriers operating the aircraft and more passengers flying on it will enhance foreign regulators' confidence in its reliability," stated a Comac manager, who requested anonymity due to company policy.
The C919 is currently undergoing evaluation by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency for a crucial certification that Comac needs to secure in order to market the aircraft to international buyers.
Comac President He Dongfeng undertook flights on the C919 from Shanghai to Beijing and Guangzhou during October and November. He was accompanied by a team of experts to participate in feedback sessions with operators and explore possible solutions.
China Eastern Airlines currently operates nine C919 aircraft and is expanding its capacity on routes connecting Shanghai to Beijing, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Wuhan, Xi'an, and Taiyuan. The airline utilizes the C919 for as many as four flights daily.
Since August, China Southern Airlines has received two C919s, which service routes to Shanghai, Chengdu, Hangzhou, and Haikou. Air China also operates two C919s, facilitating travel between Beijing, Shanghai, and Hangzhou.
However, Li noted that the C919 will face increased demands as it expands its reach to additional cities and increases flight frequency, potentially resulting in challenges related to servicing, maintenance, and deployment.
Recently, there have been discussions on Chinese social media regarding delays and cancellations of C919 flights.
"Every aspect of the C919 is being closely examined," Li remarked.