China's newly developed passenger jet sees more take off

The fourth C919, China's first self-developed narrow-body jet, is delivered to its first global customer China Eastern Airlines on January 2, 2024 in Shanghai. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The fourth C919, China's first self-developed narrow-body jet, was delivered to its first global customer China Eastern Airlines on Tuesday morning in Shanghai.

Taking off from the Shanghai Pudong International Airport at 9:44 am and landing at the Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport at 10:02 am, the jet coded as B-919E officially joined China Eastern's aircraft fleet, according to the Shanghai-based carrier.

In 2024, China Eastern is expected to receive the C919 aircraft from the jet's manufacturer Commercial Aircraft Corp of China (COMAC) in accordance with the schedule.

After a successful maiden commercial flight conducted between Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport and the Beijing Capital International Airport on May 28, the C919 aircraft is currently serving travelers between Shanghai and Chengdu since May 29, 2023.

In addition to the first five C919 jets purchased in 2021, China Eastern on September 28, 2023 inked a deal with COMAC to buy another 100 C919 aircraft, which is the largest single order in the history of the homegrown jet C919.