China’s C919 to begin first international passenger route

Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) C919 during the Singapore Airshow at Changi Exhibition Centre, Singapore, 03 February 2026. Photo by HOW HWEE YOUNG / EPA July 19 (Asia Today) -- China's domestically developed C919 passenger jet is scheduled to begin its first international passenger service in August, flying between Beijing and Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Air China will deploy the C919 on the route beginning Aug. 12, operating one round-trip flight daily, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported Saturday. The service will mark the aircraft's first regularly scheduled international passenger route. The C919 is China's first domestically developed mainline passenger jet for which the country holds independent intellectual property rights. It can accommodate 158 to 192 passengers and has a range of 2,532 to 3,452 miles. The first C919 rolled off the production line in November 2015 and completed its maiden flight in May 2017. After undergoing testing and certification, it entered commercial service in 2023. The aircraft had operated more than 42,000 commercial passenger flights within China as of the end of April. Air China currently operates one C919 flight daily between Beijing and Hong Kong. The airline has received 12 of the aircraft and reportedly plans to expand its C919 fleet gradually. -- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI © Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited. Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260719010006667 Read More Top diplomats of S. Korea, U.S., Japan to meet in Manila this week North Korea strengthens ties with China and Russia Putin thanks North Korea for support in war against Ukraine