GPS News
AEROSPACE
China shows off homegrown C919 jet in Hong Kong
China shows off homegrown C919 jet in Hong Kong
by AFP Staff Writers
Hong Kong (AFP) Dec 13, 2023

China's new domestically produced passenger jet made its debut outside the mainland on Wednesday, with international media in Hong Kong getting their first up-close look.

The C919 made its maiden commercial flight in May and is key to Beijing's decades-long ambitions to compete with European and US rivals in the air and cut down China's reliance on foreign technology.

Chinese authorities hope the sleek, narrow-body aircraft -- built by the state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corp of China (COMAC) -- will challenge foreign models like the Boeing 737 MAX and the Airbus A320.

Now on display at Hong Kong International Airport, the C919 will fly over the city's Victoria Harbour on Saturday.

Hong Kong leader John Lee on Wednesday hailed the development of the C919 and the ARJ21 -- a smaller, earlier model made by COMAC -- as "important milestones" in China's aviation sector.

"China's successful development of a large passenger jet symbolises its leading position in the transportation manufacturing industry," Lee said at a ceremony at the airport.

The C919 has received 1,061 orders from more than 30 clients as of this week, officials said in a statement.

China has invested heavily in the homegrown jetliner as it seeks to become self-sufficient in key technologies, but many of the C919's parts are sourced from overseas.

The jet received official certification to fly last year after more than a decade in development but has yet to secure any international buyers.

More than 60,000 passengers have been transported by two C919 jets that operate the route linking Chinese cities Shanghai and Chengdu, officials said.

Reporters and guests were invited to tour the plane on Wednesday, with the following two days reserved for visits from local community representatives.

The C919, which landed in the city on Tuesday, will fly around Hong Kong Island twice Saturday morning if weather permits, the government added.

Officials on Wednesday touted the jet's "advanced aerodynamic design, state-of-the-art propulsion system and advanced materials" that they said lead to lower emissions and better fuel efficiency.

The C919 can be configured to have between 158 and 192 seats and has a maximum range of 5,555 kilometres, they added.

Asia and China in particular are key targets for European manufacturer Airbus and its American rival Boeing, which are looking to capitalise on growing demand for air travel from the country's vast middle class.

Airbus earlier this year announced plans to double its production capacity in China, signing a deal to build a second final assembly line for the A320 in Tianjin.

hol/aha

BOEING

Related Links
Aerospace News at SpaceMart.com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
AEROSPACE
NASA and Moog advance quiet flight technology in air taxi noise tests
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 11, 2023
Air transportation is on the cusp of a significant transformation, with air taxis poised to redefine urban and rural mobility. In a collaborative effort to realize this potential, NASA is partnering with industry leaders to tackle one of the most crucial aspects of this emerging technology: reducing aircraft noise. The focus is on ensuring that the skies remain as quiet as possible, particularly as air taxis and drones prepare for integration into both urban and rural landscapes. Central to this e ... read more

AEROSPACE
Novel meat and dairy alternatives could help curb climate-harming emissions - UN

China lifts bar on Australian red meat exporters

Building a better indoor herb garden

Livestock produces 12% of human greenhouse gases: FAO

AEROSPACE
Researchers safely integrate fragile 2D materials into devices

With eye on China, Dutch and Koreans vow stronger chip ties

World's first logical quantum processor

DARPA-Funded Research Leads to Quantum Computing Breakthrough

AEROSPACE
China shows off homegrown C919 jet in Hong Kong

U.S. pilot ejects as F-16 crashes off South Korean coast

Seventh Osprey crash victim's body found

NASA and Moog advance quiet flight technology in air taxi noise tests

AEROSPACE
Autonomous auto venture Cruise cuts 24% of staff

Stellantis to test electric vehicle battery swapping in Madrid

China's electric bus revolution glides on

To help robocars make moral decisions, researchers ditch the 'trolley problem'

AEROSPACE
China retail sales rise in November but miss forecasts

China's Xi visits Vietnam in bid to counter US

Asian markets track Wall St to extend Fed-fuelled rally

Yellen urges China to shift from unfair state-driven economic policy

AEROSPACE
Minding the gap on tropical forest carbon

Rent-a-tree firm helps Londoners have a sustainable Christmas

Deforestation hits record low in Brazilian Amazon in November

'It destroys everything': Amazon community fights carbon credit project

AEROSPACE
Satellogic and Uzma Join Forces to Revolutionize Geospatial Services in Southeast Asia

Iota Technology Partners with AAC Clyde Space for Earth Magnetic Field Mission

AWE Project Achieves Milestone with First Light Images from Space

AI-Powered Satellite Analysis Unveils Economic Realities in Underdeveloped Nations

AEROSPACE
Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.