Cutting edge technology allows Chinese C909 to fly even higher as China is advancing rapidly in commercial aircraft development.
With China mass-producing its homegrown commercial aircraft, including the C919 and C909, the country has entered a new phase of aviation development characterized by innovation, efficiency, and advanced technology, according to an official from Commercial Aircraft Corp of China (COMAC).
Chen Yong, chief engineer at COMAC, emphasized that domestically produced passenger jets represent China’s growing expertise and bright future in aviation. Speaking at a Fudan University School of Management forum on February 16, Chen, who also serves as the chief designer of the C909, stated that the aircraft has been designed and tested according to the latest international safety and performance standards.
Previously known as the ARJ21 (Advanced Regional Jet for the 21st Century), the C909 was developed from scratch, marking a major milestone in China’s regional airliner industry. Since 2003, Chen and his team have played a crucial role in upgrading and expanding the aircraft series, leading to what he calls a “triple jump”—achieving technological, commercial, and ecological breakthroughs in aviation.
Since its first commercial flight on June 28, 2016, the C909 has made significant progress. As of January 2025, a total of 160 aircraft have been delivered, operating 644 domestic and international routes with 580,000 hours of safe flights and nearly 20 million passenger trips. The C909 now holds a 70% market share in China’s regional aircraft sector, with 60% of all global deliveries in this category being C909 models.
Chen highlighted the aircraft’s strong emphasis on airworthiness and flight safety. Engineers conducted over 8,200 stalling test flights to overcome challenges such as stalling and ice formation. Additionally, innovative cockpit designs, including quiet and dark cockpit technology and intelligent pilot instrument systems, have been integrated to improve flight safety and efficiency.
As the C909 enters large-scale production, COMAC’s research and development team is focusing on the latest technologies and industry upgrades. Chen outlined three major trends shaping the future of commercial aviation:
- Developing variant aircraft models, including business jets, cargo planes, and medical aircraft.
- Adopting clean and low-carbon emission energy sources for sustainable aviation.
- Exploring supersonic aircraft technology for faster travel.
COMAC has established C909 production lines with an annual output of 50 aircraft, while demand continues to rise. The company currently has 770 pending orders, reinforcing China’s growing dominance in the global aviation industry.
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