China’s home-grown C919 passenger jet takes wing in Singapore for international debut

China’s home-grown narrowbody passenger jet, the C919, took to the Singapore skies on Sunday to prepare for its first-ever international display – a move that may help its developer promote the aircraft as a viable option for overseas buyers and aid Beijing in its crusade to become a global player in aviation.

The plane, bearing the livery of manufacturer Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac), had touched down at the city state’s Changi Airport a few days earlier according to the Aviation Week Network, concluding the model’s first journey outside its home country.

It will “meet the public” during this week’s Singapore Airshow 2024 and take part in “demonstrations”, said the official Xinhua News Agency.

Another C919, operated by China Eastern Airlines, arrived in Singapore early Saturday morning after a nonstop 4,200km (2,610 miles) flight that took about six hours, the airline said.

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A look inside China’s home-grown civilian passenger jets, the ARJ21 and C919

Five Comac planes will be present at the air show in total – the two C919s, as well as three ARJ21 regional jets.

Thursday’s Singapore sojourn marked the first time the aircraft has flown over international airspace across at least two air navigation service providers, Aviation Week Network said.

At the Singapore Airshow, slated to run from February 20 to 25, the aircraft is expected to grab attention, analysts and Chinese media reports said.

Organisers for the show, Asia’s largest event for the aviation sector, expect about 1,000 exhibitors and 50,000 visitors, including government and military representatives.

China’s plane “is kind of like a milestone, and it’s the storyline for the show,” said Brendan Sobie, founder of the Singapore-based aviation