Beijing - China's first domestically-manufactured large passenger jet, the C919, has achieved a significant milestone by completing its inaugural commercial flight. State TV captured the moment as the C919 took off from Shanghai and soared towards Beijing on its maiden voyage. Developed by the Commercial Aviation Corporation of China (Comac), the C919 aims to challenge the market dominance of Airbus and Boeing's single-aisle jets. Despite its achievement, the 164-seater aircraft heavily relies on Western components, including engines and avionics.

The journey from Shanghai to Beijing, carrying over 130 passengers, was completed in under three hours. Passengers expressed confidence in China's capabilities, with one individual stating that the C919 will undoubtedly improve over time. Excitement was palpable among passengers, such as a 21-year-old student and aviation enthusiast who planned to fly back on the C919 the following day.

Designed to compete with Airbus and Boeing's large jumbo jets, the C919 offers greater passenger capacity and an extended range compared to China's first domestic jet, the ARJ21, which has been in service since 2016. China Eastern Airline, backed by the state, has placed orders for five of the newer C919 planes. Comac, with plans to ramp up production to 150 planes annually within five years, has reportedly secured more than 1,200 orders for the C919, although some experts suggest that many of these orders may be letters of intent from domestic customers.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has hailed the C919 project as one of the country's most innovative achievements, having previously visited a mock-up of the aircraft's cockpit. Following its first test flight in 2017, the C919 has undergone several successful flights, marking a significant step in China's aviation industry.