CHINA, 28 MAY | China's maiden COMAC C919 commercial flight has lifted off on the countries' busiest route from Shanghai to Beijing. After nearly half a decade since its inception, the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 competitor is finally a reality.

The C919 project began in 2008, aiming to create a narrowbody jet set to challenge the Airbus-Boeing duopoly. Following lots of delays, the type took its first testing flight in late 2017, and has finally entered service today. The aircraft, primarily constructed with aluminium alloys, is powered by CFM International LEAP turbofan engines and will be able to carry up to 168 passengers in a normalconfiguration up to 5555km- comparable to the likes of the A320 and 737.

Despite its delays, the type is quite popular, especially within China, due to it being significantly cheaper than other manufacturers- by around $20 Million. Airlines such as Air China, China Southern, China Eastern, Hainan Airlines, Hebei Airlines, Sichuan Airlines and Joy Air have ordered the type already. In the past years, European low-cost-carrier Ryanair has been interested in the type, but nothing has come of it yet.

Today, the C919 entered service with China Eastern Airlines- operating the Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) to Beijing Capital (PKX) route under MU9191. The aircraft operating the flight is none other than B-919A, one of the 10 C919 aircraft produced so far. At the time of writing, the flight has departed and is expected to land 1.10pm local time

Do you think that the C919 can beat the Airbus and Boeing duopoly? Comment below.

Sources: Forbes, CNN, China Aviation Review, FlightRadar24

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