ARJ21 aircraft of Air China completes inaugural flight
ARJ21-700 aircraft newly introduced by Air China flew Flight CA1109 from Beijing Capital International Airport to Xilinhot Airport (Inner Mongolia), completing its inaugural flight and entered into route operation officially.
Before the departure of the inaugural flight, an inaugural flight ceremony was held at the Capital Airport. Mr. Cai Jianjiang, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Chairman of China National Aviation Holding Corporation Limited (CNAH), Mr. He Dongfeng, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC), and Mr. Chai Weixi, Vice President of Air China, attended the ceremony, and congratulated Air China on the successful inaugural flight of the first ARJ21 aircraft. For most of the passengers taking this inaugural flight, it was the first time they took a China-made aircraft.
ARJ21 aircraft is the first turbofan regional jet independently developed by China in accordance with international standards and owning independent intellectual property right. “ARJ21 aircraft has the characteristics of adaptability, comfort, economic efficiency, commonality and serialization. The comfort of ARJ21 aircraft can compare favorably with trunk liners, and the cabin space of ARJ21 aircraft is wider and higher than that of aircraft of the same kind”, according to COMAC.
ARJ21 aircraft of Air China is in all economy-class cabin configuration with seats for 90 passengers. The seats are arranged in 18 rows with two seats on the left and three seats on the right of the aisle in each row, and are of the latest ultra-thin type made in China with a simple appearance and comfortable sitting. The spacing, seat back angle and width are comparable to the configuration level of the existing single-aisle passenger aircraft of Air China. At the same time, a USB power socket is provided for each passenger. The cabin interior uses the unified interior products for the whole Air China fleet, embodying “the unity of nature and mankind”, the whole cabin is decorated with elements of the 2022 Olympic Winter Games, and catering is consistent with the current route configuration standards in order to strive to provide passengers with a better travel experience.
As planned, Air China will receive three ARJ21-700 aircraft in 2020, which will fly the routes from Beijing Capital International Airport to Xilinhot, Baotou, Ulanhot and Hohhot of Inner Mongolia. The introduction of ARJ21 aircraft will help to supplement the regional aircraft transport capacity of Air China, promote the effective connection of Air China’s main and regional flights, further expand the carrying capacity of the Air China fleet, further improve the overall route network layout of Air China, and enhance market competitiveness, so as to meet the popularized air travel demand of passengers.
A few days earlier, China National Aviation Holding Corporation Limited (parent company of Air China), China Eastern Airlines Corporation Limited and China Southern Airlines Company Limited respectively received their first ARJ21 aircraft at Pudong base of the Assembly Manufacturing Center of Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC). The simultaneous delivery of the three aircraft marks the official entry of ARJ21 aircraft into the fleets of international mainstream airlines.
