China's domestically developed C919 passenger jet will begin international flights on 12 August
When the first Chinese jetliner built with domestic technology crosses the border and begins regular international service, it is not just an airline schedule change. It is a statement of a new era in aviation, where China is no longer just a market but a full‑fledged manufacturer. The Beijing‑Ulaanbaatar route is a modest start, but behind it lie years of engineering effort and ambitions that will reshape the global aviation map.
The route, operated by Air China, will connect Beijing with Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, with one round‑trip flight per day. Departure from Beijing International Airport at 15:00, arrival in Ulaanbaatar at 17:15. The return flight leaves Ulaanbaatar at 18:30 and arrives in Beijing at 20:35. Tickets are already on sale.
The C919 is China's first domestically developed narrow‑body jetliner, designed by COMAC. Its first commercial flight took place in May 2023 on domestic Chinese routes. The move to international service marks an important milestone for the programme, confirming the aircraft's readiness for operations beyond China. Mongolia was chosen as the first international destination, reflecting growing cooperation between the two countries. As CCTV+ reports. In the coming years, the C919 is expected to receive airworthiness certificates in other countries and expand its international network.
