Chinese C919, ARJ21 passenger planes debut in Vietnam
Monday, February 26, 2024, 19:16 GMT+7
The Chinese C919 and ARJ21 passenger jets made their debut at Van Don International Airport in Quang Ninh Province, northern Vietnam on Monday morning for an air show held by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC) in the Southeast Asian country.
The C919 and ARJ21 jetliners, both manufactured in China, safely arrived at the airport, signaling the start of the inaugural COMAC Airshow in Vietnam, scheduled to run from Tuesday to Thursday.
Shortly before that, they participated in the Singapore Airshow 2024, which began last Tuesday and concluded on Sunday.
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| China’s C919 passenger aircraft receives a ceremonial water cannon salute upon its arrival at Van Don International Airport in Quang Ninh Province, northern Vietnam, February 26, 2024. Photo: T.Duong / Tuoi Tre |
The C919 and ARJ21-700 aircraft represent China’s initial endeavor into civil aviation, with the ARJ21-700 being a twin-engine jet seating up to 90 passengers, while the C919 is a narrow-body passenger aircraft with a capacity of up to 192 seats.
The C919 introduction places China among a group of select nations capable of independently designing and manufacturing aircraft, including the U.S., Russia, Brazil, Canada, the UK, France, and Germany.
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| China’s C919 passenger aircraft arrives at Van Don International Airport in Quang Ninh Province, northern Vietnam, February 26, 2024. Photo: T.Duong / Tuoi Tre |
Hoang Van Dung, deputy director of Van Don International Airport, emphasized that hosting the COMAC aircraft exhibition and demonstration underscores the airport’s status as Vietnam’s premier private airport, equipped with comprehensive infrastructure.
The event is expected to lay the groundwork for future commercial flights linking Chinese provinces and cities with Quang Ninh, particularly services from Shantou City in China’s Guangdong Province to Van Don.
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| Officials from the Department of Tourism of Quang Ninh Province, along with representatives from Van Don International Airport, extend a warm welcome to the leadership team of the COMAC Group and the cabin crew of China’s passenger aircraft C919 upon their arrival in Quang Ninh, northern Vietnam, February 26, 2024. Photo: T.Duong / Tuoi Tre |
The opening ceremony of the COMAC Airshow is scheduled for Tuesday morning, with the participation of leaders from the Vietnamese Ministry of Transport, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, Quang Ninh Province, Chinese airlines, Vietnamese airlines, and representatives from travel companies.
Attendees will have the opportunity to witness test flights and explore the aircraft firsthand before they are showcased statically at Van Don International Airport and subsequently travel to Con Dao Airport on the namesake island off southern Vietnam, Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, and Dong Hoi Airport in north-central Quang Binh Province.
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| China’s ARJ21-700 aircraft arrives at Van Don International Airport in Quang Ninh Province, northern Vietnam, February 26, 2024. Photo: T.Duong / Tuoi Tre |
The COMAC aircraft’s stops will also include Da Nang City in central Vietnam and Vientiane in Laos.
Cao Tuong Huy, chairman of the People’s Committee of Quang Ninh Province, is slated to engage in discussions with Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Xiong Bo and representatives from COMAC Group to strengthen cooperation in developing Chinese air routes to Van Don and confer on the establishment of a COMAC Group representative office in Quang Ninh.
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