Photo: People's Daily

China Eastern Airlines on Wednesday, the first day of 2025, inaugurated a regular "Shanghai Hongqiao to Hong Kong" flight service using the domestically developed C919 aircraft, a firm step for the aircraft to tap more market potential.

The service makes Hong Kong become the ninth city where China Eastern Airlines regularly operates C919 commercial flights, and the first city outside the Chinese mainland.

The flight is coded as MU721. At 7 am, a launch ceremony took place at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, where vibrant traditional Chinese lion dances set a jubilant tone for the launch event, according to the information China Eastern shared with the Global Times.

The celebrations complemented the C919's striking "Shining China Red" livery. Adding to the occasion, crew members donned "Shining China Red" badges as they welcomed passengers onboard. Travelers were also given commemorative boarding passes, adding a special touch to the inauguration.

At 8:21 am, flight MU721 took off with 157 passengers onboard, signifying the connection between Shanghai, known as the "Pearl of the Orient," and Hong Kong - the "Pearl of the East."

To elevate the experience, China Eastern has introduced a specially designed menu featuring a blend of Cantonese and Shanghai flavors.

The milestone also emphasizes Hong Kong's unique relationship with the C919. On June 1, 2024, China Eastern operated a charter flight between Shanghai and Hong Kong using the C919. Now, this route has evolved from occasional charter operations to a daily regular service.

The extended footprint of C919 to Hong Kong is an important step for more potential overseas markets. It provides opportunities for users in foreign countries to know more about the performance of this aircraft, including its maintenance ability, as Hong Kong is an important transport hub in the world, Wang Yanan, chief editor of the Beijing-based Aerospace Knowledge magazine, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

The C919 has been embraced by other major airlines in the country.

China Southern Airlines, which introduced the first C919 in August this year, started the commercial flight of C919 from Guangzhou to Haikou, South China's Hainan Province on December 11, and the route was fixed with C919 from December 16. Haikou has become the fifth destination for China Southern's C919 aircraft after Guangzhou, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Chengdu.

The C919 aircraft from Air China is serving four routes between Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Chengdu and Wuhan.