This photo taken on May 28, 2023 shows a C919, China's self-developed large passenger aircraft, before its first commercial flight in east China's Shanghai. C919 kicked off its first commercial flight from Shanghai to Beijing on Sunday, marking its official entry into the civil aviation market. (Photo: Xinhua)

China Eastern Airlines said it will welcome the third homegrown C919 aircraft soon, according to information released through a China Eastern investor interactive platforms on Monday -- the latest progress of the five C919 planes which are scheduled to be introduced into China Eastern's flying fleet this year. 

As China-developed large passenger aircraft, the C919 aircraft is regarded as a rival for Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 series.

The first C919 plane was delivered to China Eastern in December 2022, followed by the second one delivered in July this year. 

Two C919 planes started serving China Eastern Airlines flights between Shanghai and Chengdu in Southwest China's Sichuan Province in early August.

Orders for China's C919 large passenger aircraft have reached 1,061, with two already delivered, He Dongfeng, chairman of Commercial Aircraft Corp of China (COMAC), said at the Pujiang Innovation Forum held in Shanghai in September. 

Locally developed aircraft, the C919 and ARJ21, will visit Hong Kong for the first time from December 12 to December 17. It will be the first time for the C919 to leave the Chinese mainland.

The C919 will conduct a demonstration flight over Victoria Harbor for the public to witness the plane's first flight over the Hong Kong special administrative region.  

Global Times