In a significant milestone for China's aviation industry, a C919 jetliner from the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) successfully landed at Lhasa Gonggar Airport in the Xizang Autonomous Region on Thursday. This marks the aircraft's inaugural arrival in Lhasa, as reported by Xinhua.
The journey began at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport in Sichuan Province, with the flight covering a distance of approximately two hours and eight minutes. The successful landing underscores COMAC's commitment to expanding the reach of its domestically developed jetliners.
Lhasa Gonggar Airport, nestled in the Yarlung Tsangpo River Valley at an altitude of 3,569 meters, presents unique challenges due to its high-altitude environment. The C919's arrival is not only a testament to its engineering but also a step forward in demonstrating its capabilities under demanding conditions.
Following this historic landing, the C919 will undergo a series of test flights at Lhasa Gonggar Airport. These tests aim to evaluate the aircraft's environmental control, avionics, and propulsion systems to ensure they meet the stringent requirements necessary for high-altitude operations. Successful completion of these tests will pave the way for the C919 to serve more routes within challenging environments.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
