Comac's China-Made Plane Takes First International Flight

China's state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China Ltd (Comac) is set to make its first commercial international flight with the Comac C919, a narrow-body aircraft similar in size to the Boeing 737. The plane will fly from Beijing to Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia on Wednesday, marking a symbolic step towards becoming self-sufficient in commercial aviation.

The development of the C919 reflects China's ambition to become a major player in the global aviation industry, a national security priority. However, analysts argue that building large passenger aircraft has proven far harder for China than making rapid advances in areas like electric vehicles and robotics.

Comac faces significant hurdles in production, certification, and international trust. Despite delivering just 15 C919s last year against the target of 75, the company claims it has built a plane that meets 'international airworthiness standards.' The base model can fly 158-192 passengers up to 5,555km away.

Analyst Scott Kennedy from the Centre for Strategic and International Studies described the flight as 'essentially a public relations move,' noting that Ulaanbaatar was likely chosen because of its proximity to Beijing. He added that the plane is composed of Western components and is less efficient than Boeing and Airbus cousins.