China Eastern Airlines will start operating round-trip flights between Shanghai and Hong Kong using China's first self-developed narrow-body jet C919 aircraft from Jan 1, 2025.
This makes the airline the first to offer regular commercial flights to Hong Kong using this aircraft.
As the world's pioneering C919 customer, China Eastern Airlines has placed a total of 105 orders and boasts the largest C919 fleet.
Hong Kong will be the ninth city where the airline operates regular commercial flights with C919.
The airline plans to arrange a round-trip flight every day between Shanghai and Hong Kong.
C919 to start commercial flights from Shanghai to Hong Kong from Jan 1
China's commissioning of "five essentials for aircraft carriers" marks a a significant achievement of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy’s accelerated transformation and development, said Jiang Bin, spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense, at a press conference in Beijing on Saturday.
The "five essentials" refer to stealth carrier-based fighters, multirole catapult-assisted carrier-based fighters, fixed-wing carrier-based early warning aircraft, fixed-wing electronic warfare aircraft, and anti-submarine helicopters.
"The package, or what media have dubbed the 'five essentials for aircraft carriers,' is a vital link in forming the systematic combat capability of aircraft carrier formations and a significant achievement in the PLA Navy’s accelerated transformation and development. Building a strong PLA Navy embodies the Chinese nation's long-cherished aspiration of striving to be a strong naval power and serves as an important guarantee for realizing national rejuvenation. In the new era, under the firm leadership of the CPC Central Committee, the Central Military Commission and President Xi, the modernization of the PLA Navy has become increasingly solid and powerful. From the air to the sea, from coastal waters to the open ocean, the types and functions of various weapons platforms have been continuously improved, achieving leapfrog development and innovative breakthroughs, providing stronger guarantees for safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests," he said.
Spokesman confirms commissioning of 'five essentials' for carriers
