On December 12 and for the first time, a COMAC C919 and an ARJ21-700 have arrived at Hong Kong International Airport, marking a significant milestone for Chinese-produced aircraft visiting this airport.

The planes will stay in Hong Kong until at least Sunday; on Saturday, both aircraft will conduct a flyover of Victoria Harbour. As a precautionary measure, the Hong Kong aviation authority will restrict drone flights and unmanned aircraft, as well as the use of kits and balloon releases.

Upon arrival, both aircraft received the traditional water salute provided by the airport’s fire department. An official airport welcome ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, the 13th.

The C919 and the ARJ21 will be on display at Hong Kong International Airport until Sunday and can be visited by officials, legislators, representatives from the aviation industry, and youth groups, among others.

COMAC aims to compete strongly with Boeing and Airbus in the narrow-body segment. The arrival of these two aircraft opens the door to potential new customers in the Hong Kong market.

«It is an honor for HKIA to be the first airport outside mainland China to receive the C919 aircraft,» said Fred Lam, CEO of the Airport Authority of Hong Kong. «We look forward to deepening collaborations with our partners from mainland China and contributing to the development of a world-class aviation industry for the country.»

Hong Kong-based organizations were involved in the early stages of research and development of the C919. The Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department was invited by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) to participate in the program, and a representative was sent to Shanghai in 2022 to take part in the C919’s flight test program completion.