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Air China Operates First COMAC C909 International Route

DALLAS — On June 1, 2025, Air China (CA) operated the first international route with the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China's (COMAC) C909 aircraft, designated as B-605U. 

Flight CA757 departed from Hohhot (HET) at 08:05 local time and arrived at Chinggis Khaan International Airport in Ulaanbaatar (UBN) at 10:00 local time.

Formerly known as the ARJ21, the C909 is one of the two existing aircraft types produced by COMAC and was delivered to Air China five years ago. 

Air China currently operates 35 of the type, which fly approximately 100 daily flights to over 30 destinations out of their hubs in Chengdu, Beijing, and Hohhot. CA’s C909 aircraft can seat up to 90 passengers in an all-economy configuration.

The C909 after disembarking in Ulaanbaatar. Photo: Air China

Growth of the C909

Currently, 166 C909 aircraft have been delivered to airlines worldwide, with the majority of operators being based in China. China Express Airlines (G5) is expected to be the largest operator, with 50 of the type on order.

Earlier in March, Lao Airlines (QV) received its first C909 aircraft, and later in April, Chengdu Airlines leased two of the aircraft to VietJet Air (VJ). The Indonesian airline, TransNusa (8B) is the largest foreign operator of the C909, with a total of 30 orders, three in service, and one brand-new jet parked. 

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