The Chinese company COMAC has begun testing a modified version of the C919 civilian passenger plane, which it designed to fly at high altitudes. passenger plane, which it designed to fly at high altitudes.
Chinese civilian passenger aircraft type "C919" / Legion-Media
Chinese state media reported that the modified version of the aircraft, named C919-600 Plateau, successfully completed its first test flight, taking off from and returning to Shanghai Pudong International Airport.
COMAC noted that the new version of the aircraft was designed to fly at high altitudes and operate with airlines serving southern regions of China, including the Tibetan Plateau, where high-altitude airport conditions impose additional requirements on takeoff and landing performance. This version was developed under an agreement with Tibet Airlines, which is the first customer and partner in setting the operating requirements for this aircraft.
As part of this project, the length of the aircraft body was reduced from 38.9 m to 34 m, so that its capacity would be between 138 and 160 passengers, and its flight range would be about 3000 km. The developing company explained that reducing the size contributes to reducing the overall weight and increasing operational efficiency at high altitudes and in hot climates.
The development of this version of the aircraft is due to the unique nature of the airport network in China, where there are about 43 civilian airports located at an altitude of no less than 1,524 meters above sea level, 23 of which exceed 2,438 meters in altitude. Daojing Yading Airport is considered the highest among these airports, as it is located at an altitude of 4,411 meters.
It is worth noting that the basic version of the C919 aircraft first took off on May 5, 2017, obtained the Chinese airworthiness certificate in 2022, and entered commercial service in 2023. COMAC had previously conducted tests of this version at high altitudes, with the aircraft carrying out flights in 2024 to Lhasa International Airport, which is 3,570 meters above sea level.
