This photo taken on Aug. 12. 2026 shows the homegrown C919 aircraft taking off from the Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, capital of China. China on Wednesday launched the first international route featuring its homegrown C919 aircraft, connecting Beijing with Ulan Bator, capital of Mongolia, according to Air China. Air China flight CA723 took off from Beijing Capital International Airport for Ulan Bator at around 3 p.m., marking the latest milestone in the C919's commercial operation since its maiden commercial flight on May 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Xie Han)
BEIJING, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- China on Wednesday launched the first international route featuring its homegrown C919 aircraft, connecting Beijing with Ulaanbaatar, capital of Mongolia, according to Air China.
Air China flight CA723 took off from Beijing Capital International Airport for Ulaanbaatar at around 3 p.m., marking the latest milestone in the C919's commercial operation since its maiden commercial flight on May 28, 2023.
The C919 is China's first self-developed trunk jetliner in accordance with international airworthiness standards and registered with independent intellectual property rights.
Air China currently operates 12 of these aircraft. The C919 jet is also operated by China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines.
As of Aug. 10, the C919 had served 57 routes linking 25 cities and handled more than 7.5 million passenger trips, said the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd., the jet developer. ■
Captain of Air China flight CA723 inspects before takeoff at the Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 12, 2026. China on Wednesday launched the first international route featuring its homegrown C919 aircraft, connecting Beijing with Ulan Bator, capital of Mongolia, according to Air China.
Air China flight CA723 took off from Beijing Capital International Airport for Ulan Bator at around 3 p.m., marking the latest milestone in the C919's commercial operation since its maiden commercial flight on May 28, 2023. (Photo by Tao Ran/Xinhua)
Air China flight CA723 takes off from the Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 12, 2026. China on Wednesday launched the first international route featuring its homegrown C919 aircraft, connecting Beijing with Ulan Bator, capital of Mongolia, according to Air China.
Air China flight CA723 took off from Beijing Capital International Airport for Ulan Bator at around 3 p.m., marking the latest milestone in the C919's commercial operation since its maiden commercial flight on May 28, 2023. (Photo by Tao Ran/Xinhua)
Crew members of Air China flight CA723 hold a coordination meeting before takeoff at the Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 12, 2026. China on Wednesday launched the first international route featuring its homegrown C919 aircraft, connecting Beijing with Ulan Bator, capital of Mongolia, according to Air China.
Air China flight CA723 took off from Beijing Capital International Airport for Ulan Bator at around 3 p.m., marking the latest milestone in the C919's commercial operation since its maiden commercial flight on May 28, 2023. (Photo by Tao Ran/Xinhua)
A foreign passenger tries archery during an activity marking the launch of the first international commercial route operated by C919 aircraft at the Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 12, 2026.
China on Wednesday launched the first international route featuring its homegrown C919 aircraft, connecting Beijing with Ulan Bator, capital of Mongolia, according to Air China.
Air China flight CA723 took off from Beijing Capital International Airport for Ulan Bator at around 3 p.m., marking the latest milestone in the C919's commercial operation since its maiden commercial flight on May 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuwei)
A staff member helps a CA723 passenger check in at the Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 12, 2026.
China on Wednesday launched the first international route featuring its homegrown C919 aircraft, connecting Beijing with Ulan Bator, capital of Mongolia, according to Air China.
Air China flight CA723 took off from Beijing Capital International Airport for Ulan Bator at around 3 p.m., marking the latest milestone in the C919's commercial operation since its maiden commercial flight on May 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuwei)
This photo taken on Aug. 12. 2026 shows the homegrown C919 aircraft taking off from the Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, capital of China.
China on Wednesday launched the first international route featuring its homegrown C919 aircraft, connecting Beijing with Ulan Bator, capital of Mongolia, according to Air China.
Air China flight CA723 took off from Beijing Capital International Airport for Ulan Bator at around 3 p.m., marking the latest milestone in the C919's commercial operation since its maiden commercial flight on May 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Xie Han)
This photo taken on Aug. 12, 2026 shows an activity marking the launch of the first international commercial route operated by C919 aircraft at the Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, capital of China.
China on Wednesday launched the first international route featuring its homegrown C919 aircraft, connecting Beijing with Ulan Bator, capital of Mongolia, according to Air China.
Air China flight CA723 took off from Beijing Capital International Airport for Ulan Bator at around 3 p.m., marking the latest milestone in the C919's commercial operation since its maiden commercial flight on May 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuwei)
A performer plays the horse-head fiddle during an activity marking the launch of the first international commercial route operated by C919 aircraft at the Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 12, 2026.
China on Wednesday launched the first international route featuring its homegrown C919 aircraft, connecting Beijing with Ulan Bator, capital of Mongolia, according to Air China.
Air China flight CA723 took off from Beijing Capital International Airport for Ulan Bator at around 3 p.m., marking the latest milestone in the C919's commercial operation since its maiden commercial flight on May 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuwei)
Dancers perform during an activity marking the launch of the first international commercial route operated by C919 aircraft at the Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 12, 2026.
China on Wednesday launched the first international route featuring its homegrown C919 aircraft, connecting Beijing with Ulan Bator, capital of Mongolia, according to Air China.
Air China flight CA723 took off from Beijing Capital International Airport for Ulan Bator at around 3 p.m., marking the latest milestone in the C919's commercial operation since its maiden commercial flight on May 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuwei)
Passengers pose for photos with specialized souvenirs during an activity marking the launch of the first international commercial route operated by C919 aircraft at the Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 12, 2026.
China on Wednesday launched the first international route featuring its homegrown C919 aircraft, connecting Beijing with Ulan Bator, capital of Mongolia, according to Air China.
Air China flight CA723 took off from Beijing Capital International Airport for Ulan Bator at around 3 p.m., marking the latest milestone in the C919's commercial operation since its maiden commercial flight on May 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuwei)
