At the opening of the 2024 China Aviation Industry Conference and Nanchang Air Show on November 2nd, Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC) made a striking debut with its ARJ21 and C919 aircraft performing their first-ever dual-aircraft formation flights. The demonstration showcased impressive aerial manoeuvres, including coordinated flying, turning, and low-altitude passes, which highlighted the precision and performance of these two flagship models.
The ARJ21 landed first after the initial formation display, while the C919 continued its performance with solo low passes and steep climbs, further underscoring COMAC’s achievements in aeronautical engineering. Both aircraft remain on static display throughout the air show, giving attendees a close-up view of COMAC’s contributions to China’s aviation industry.
Inside the exhibition area, COMAC provided scale models of its C919 and C929 aircraft, alongside a model of the ARJ21 featuring Jiangxi Air livery. The display included various configurations of the ARJ21—business jet, medical rescue, emergency command, firefighting, and cargo aircraft—illustrating the versatility of the model. COMAC also showcased adaptations of the C919, including shorter, plateau, and extended versions, to demonstrate the scope of its aircraft family.
COMAC’s ARJ21 and C919 models have achieved significant milestones in commercial aviation, with 150 ARJ21s delivered and operating over 600 routes in more than 150 cities, having transported over 17 million passengers. The C919, China’s first homegrown large passenger jet, has reached 11 deliveries, flown 700,000 passengers, and operated on nine routes in seven cities. These accomplishments mark a steady progression in COMAC’s efforts to expand China’s footprint in the global aviation sector.