政府新闻
C919在中东的首次亮相是中国航空业的一个里程碑 2025-11-17
People take photos of China's domestically produced C919 large passenger aircraft during the 2025 Nanchang Air Show and Aviation Industry Expo, which kicked off in Nanchang, East China's Jiangxi Province on October 31, 2025.
The 2025 Dubai Airshow, scheduled from Monday to Friday, will witness a significant moment in the global aviation landscape as China's domestically developed C919 passenger jet is poised to make its Middle East debut.
Two single-aisle C919 planes and one C909 business jet from Shanghai-based Commercial Aircraft Corp of China will be on display during the event, according to the People's Daily.
As a bellwether of the global aviation market, the Dubai Airshow has long served as a premier stage where international aviation giants showcase their prowess. Thus, the C919's Middle East debut is far more than a product display.
It represents a milestone for China's domestically developed passenger aircraft as it knocks on the door of the global market, a showcase of China's high-end manufacturing strength, and a reflection of the firm commitment to independent innovation and industrial upgrading.
The confidence behind the C919 stepping onto the global stage of the Dubai Airshow stems from its solid track record during two years of domestic commercial operations. During this period, the aircraft completed its maiden commercial flight, was deployed on the busy Beijing-Shanghai route, handled its first Spring Festival travel rush and received widespread acclaim during its international debut at the Singapore Airshow, according to cctv.com.
As of May 28, a total of 18 C919 aircraft operated by Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines had been put into commercial service, flying more than 20 routes. They had safely logged more than 36,000 flight hours and transported more than 2.05 million passengers across 16 cities, demonstrating the aircraft's reliability and operational efficiency.
As Vice Minister of Science and Technology Long Teng stated at a press conference in September, the C919's transition from "maiden flight" to "commercial debut" and then to "regular commercial operation" was a milestone in China's aviation industry. The C919 has received more than 1,000 domestic and international orders, which has dispelled skepticism about its commercial viability, laying a solid foundation for its entry into the global market.
After consolidating its domestic foundation, venturing into the global arena was an inevitable next step for the C919, with the Dubai Airshow and the Middle Eastern market serving as ideal testing grounds and breakthroughs.
As a hub of the global aviation industry, the Middle East is home to leading international carriers such as Emirates and Qatar Airways. Thanks to its geographical advantage connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe, the region has become one of the busiest for global air transportation.
The strong demand for air travel and fleet renewal plans in the region provide substantial market opportunities for the C919. By appearing alongside international counterparts, the C919 can demonstrate its technical capabilities and operational potential and directly engage with international market needs, gathering invaluable experience for its global development.
A successful entry into the Middle Eastern market would build an important bridge for the C919 to secure more international orders, thereby accelerating its industrialization process.
Yet, the significance of the C919's Middle East debut extends far beyond commercial market expansion. It stands as a microcosm of China's manufacturing transformation, conveying to the world the nation's determination to pursue independent innovation and high-quality development.
Aviation manufacturing is often called the "jewel in the crown of modern industry" due to its technology-intensive nature and extensive industrial chains. The success of the C919 is the result of the persistent efforts of Chinese researchers across various domains: from design concepts to core manufacturing processes, and from airframe materials to avionics systems.
Driven by its industrialization progress, thousands of upstream and downstream enterprises have achieved breakthroughs in manufacturing critical components such as high-precision aviation forgings and advanced composite materials through long-term research and development, mastering high-standard production capabilities and establishing a self-reliant industrial ecosystem.
This model of using major equipment breakthroughs to drive upgrades across the entire industrial chain has secured Chinese aviation a firm foothold on the global stage while providing valuable experience for the broader transformation of Chinese manufacturing toward high-end and international development.
Source: Global Times
