Bedecked with the Chinese national flag, China's domestically developed C909 passenger jet completed the first international commercial flight on Tuesday.
Carrying 74 passengers, the plane took off at about 08:00 from Hohhot Baita International Airport in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and headed to the Chinggis Khaan International Airport in Ulaanbaatar of Mongolia.
"I'm traveling abroad for the first time, and it just happens to be the maiden international flight of the homegrown aircraft. I feel really lucky and proud," said a passenger.
"It's a moment of national pride. This truly showcases the significant progress in China's aviation industry," said another.
After a smooth flight of just over an hour, the plane arrived in Mongolia, where it was greeted with a ceremonial water salute, the highest honor in aviation.
"It's a great honor to captain the C909 bedecked with the Chinese national flag on its first international mission. We conducted a comprehensive operational risk assessment for the route, taking into account aircraft performance, airspace structure, airport operating standards, and meteorological conditions to formulate a precision flight plan accordingly," said Liu Yongguang, captain of the flight.
The C909 celebrated the 9th anniversary of its maiden flight on Saturday. A total of 166 C909 aircraft have been delivered to the market, which have operated on more than 700 routes and transported over 24 million passengers.
China's C909 starts first int'l commercial flight to Mongolia
