Chinese homegrown C919 makes first commercial flight in Hong Kong

The Chinese homegrown passenger aircraft C919 made its first cross-border commercial flight and arrived in Hong Kong on Saturday morning to fly over 100 local students to Shanghai for an internship program. 

The C919 and another homegrown ARJ21 first visited Hong Kong last December and the former delighted citizens with a demonstration flight over Victoria Harbour. 

Delivering a speech at the taking-off ceremony, Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki said he has witnessed two “firsts” of the C919 today (Sat); it flew its first commercial flight in Hong Kong and for the first time sent Hong Kong students to a mainland exchange trip. 

It was also the icing on the cake that this year marked the 15th anniversary of the Shanghai-Hong Kong Future Leaders Internship Scheme, making the ceremony more symbolic, Chan added. 

“This series of activities are the prime examples of patriotism education, allowing Hong Kong teenagers to grasp an in-depth understanding of China’s aviation development and strengthening their national recognition and pride.” 

A third year student, Cheung, of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology said this is a two-month trip for her to broaden her horizon and hopes her experiences in Shanghai will help her own study. 

Another HKUST third year student, Chan, hopes to spend a meaningful summer in Shanghai. She noted that despite not being an aviation fan herself, her father proactively introduced her to the C919 aircraft upon learning of her upcoming flight. 

“I can’t wait to go onboard to check it out for myself. I wonder if the plane will be spacious.” 

Andrew Yao, chairman of Federation of Hong Kong-Shanghai Associations, said it is a very memorable experience that students get to travel on the “national brand” flight C919. 

He hopes students can get to know more about the country and this internship helps with their future employment. 

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