A Chinese electric passenger plane completed its first crewed flight on Saturday, taking off and landing in Binzhou, Shandong Province, state media reported, marking a milestone for the country's aviation industry and the state-backed Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC).
The CE-25A aircraft, crewed by two pilots and an engineer, flew for around 60 kilometres and stayed airborne for 16 minutes and 38 seconds, according to reports from China's state broadcaster CCTV News and the Xinhua news agency.
The CE-25A was built in China as a collaborative effort between COMAC, battery manufacturer Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL), Shanghai Jiao Tong University and others. COMAC said the flight “operated normally.”
The CE-25A is designed for short-distance commercial flights between cities. It uses an electric propulsion system, can carry 19 passengers, has a maximum takeoff weight of 10 tonnes, a cruising speed of up to 300 km per hour and can fly at an altitude of 2,400 metres.
The manned flight is the latest step in the plane's development. The aircraft had already flown autonomously in February this year and has since completed 19 unmanned test flights. The manufacturer has applied for type certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) but has yet to receive approval to enter commercial service.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The flight marks a historic first for China's aviation industry, demonstrating progress in electric aviation technology that could reduce carbon emissions in short-haul travel.
- It shows the collaboration between state-backed COMAC and major battery maker CATL, potentially accelerating the development of electric passenger aircraft in China.
- The CE-25A's path to certification will be watched by global aviation markets as a possible competitor in the regional electric plane segment.
Background
Electric aircraft are being developed worldwide as a way to decarbonise aviation, particularly on short routes where battery-powered planes are most feasible. COMAC, founded in 2008, is China's main state-owned aircraft manufacturer and is best known for the C919 narrow-body jet, which entered commercial service in 2023. The CE-25A program builds on China's push to become a leader in electric aviation.
Key Perspectives
COMAC: Said the flight "operated normally" and described the aircraft's performance as a step toward certification.
State media (CCTV News, Xinhua): Reported the flight as a historic first for China's aviation industry, emphasising the plane's specifications and the collaborative development effort.
What to Watch
- Whether the Civil Aviation Administration of China grants type certification for the CE-25A, a key step toward commercial service.
- The timeline for the aircraft to enter commercial operations, given it has yet to receive regulatory approval.
- International interest in the CE-25A as a potential competitor to other electric aircraft programs in development globally.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe Chinese electric passenger plane completed its first crewed flight.Euronews: “A Chinese electric passenger plane completed its first crewed flight on Saturday”
- SupportedThe CE-25A was built in China through a collaboration involving COMAC and partners.Euronews: “The aircraft was built in China as a collaborative effort between COMAC and battery manufacturer Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL), Shanghai Jiao Tong University and others.”
- SupportedThe flight took place on Saturday.Euronews: “A Chinese electric passenger plane completed its first crewed flight on Saturday”
- SupportedThe plane took off and landed in Binzhou, Shandong Province.Euronews: “The plane, a CE-25A, took off and landed in Binzhou, Shandong Province”
- SupportedState media reported the flight.Euronews: “marking a historic first for China’s aviation industry and the state-backed Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), state media reported.”
- SupportedThe aircraft was crewed by two pilots and an engineer.Euronews: “The aircraft was reportedly manned by two pilots and an engineer”
- SupportedThe flight covered around 60 kilometres.Euronews: “flew for around 60 kilometres”
- SupportedThe aircraft stayed airborne for 16 minutes and 38 seconds.Euronews: “staying airborne for 16 minutes and 38 seconds.”
- SupportedThe flight marked a milestone for China’s aviation industry and COMAC.Euronews: “marking a historic first for China’s aviation industry and the state-backed Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC)”
- SupportedCOMAC said the flight “operated normally.”Euronews: “COMAC said the flight "operated normally."”
- SupportedThe CE-25A is designed for short-distance commercial flights between cities.Euronews: “The plane, a CE-25A designed for short-distance commercial flights between cities”
- SupportedThe manufacturer applied for type certification but has not received approval to enter commercial service.Euronews: “The manufacturer applied for type certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) but has yet to receive approval to enter commercial service.”
