Photo: CHINA EASTERN
China Eastern Airlines inaugurated today (Wed, 1.1.25) the new route between Shanghai (Hongqiao) and Hong Kong where the company uses C919 aircraft developed in China.
The new route is the first international flight using the C919 aircraft after several domestic destinations where the company recently used this new aircraft.
Photo: CHINA EASTERNFlight MU721 (which will now operate daily on the route) took off at 7 AM Shanghai time with 157 passengers on board. A launch ceremony, including a "Chinese lion" dance show, was held at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport.
The crew members wore "Shining Red China" badges as they welcomed the passengers. Travelers also received souvenir boarding passes and special food prepared for the festive flight.
Photo: CHINA EASTERNChina Eastern introduced the first C919 into service in August this year and has since operated the aircraft on routes between Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Wuhan, and Chengdu. Now, the route to Hong Kong is included as well.
Photo: CHINA EASTERNBut China Eastern is not alone.
China Southern Airlines announced in May 2024 the purchase of 100 C919 aircraft from China's Commercial Aircraft Corporation, COMAC. This is the third significant order of this domestically-produced aircraft, following identical orders by Air China and, as mentioned, China Eastern, each purchasing 100 aircraft for about 10 billion dollars. The list price of the narrow-body C919, which aims to compete with Airbus's A320 and Boeing's 737, is over 99 million dollars.