C919 Soars

China’s first homegrown large passenger jet, the C919, successfully completed its first trial flight in May 2017, making it one of China’s most significant technological breakthroughs in recent years. Unlike bullet trains and nuclear power, the domestic passenger jet boasts a global sourcing model, blazing its way in innovation and design without large-scale imports of overseas technology or establishing joint ventures like those seen in the vehicle industry. To date, more than 600 orders have been placed for the C919. Domestic demand, however, will be its only advantage over Boeing and Airbus, and the upcoming five years will be a crucial period for it to obtain regional airworthiness certificates. Experts warned that policy backing is crucial, but that the plane’s success depends on the market instead of a low-price policy.