Wenzhou Longwan International Airport welcomes the first scheduled commercial passenger flight operated by the C919

On February 20, 2025, Air China flight CA1567 from Beijing, touched down at Wenzhou Longwan International Airport, marking the first arrival of scheduled commercial passenger flight of C919 jet. Upon arrival, the aircraft was greeted by a traditional water salute, a symbol of the highest honor in civil aviation, sparking cheers and excitement among onlookers.

The C919, registered as B-919Y, will operate regularly on Air China’s Beijing Capital-Wenzhou Longwan route under flight numbers (Flight CA1567/1568) every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The schedule is as follows:

Outbound Flight : Departs Beijing at 9:00 AM, arrives in Wenzhou at 11:25 AM.

Return Flight : Departs Wenzhou at 12:50 PM, arrives in Beijing at 3:30 PM.

The C919, as the aviation industry’s first extended-range variant, features a higher maximum take-off weight and engine thrust, improving its market adaptability. Its cabin layout includes 8 business class seats and 150 economy class seats, providing a more spacious seating experience. And its interior features the “Fengwu Yunduan” (Phoenix Dancing in the Clouds) design theme, along with six-way adjustable headrests, high-speed USB-C and USB-A charging ports, adjustable reading lights, multi-layer storage pockets, and mobile device holders, all tailored to enhance convenience and comfort.

“I booked my ticket a month ago and only realized upon boarding that I’d be flying on China’s own C919. The plane felt new and spacious, but what moved me most was the pride of riding a homegrown jet, said Mr. Weng, a passenger from Ouhai District,Wenzhou. He mentioned that due to work commitments, he frequently travels worldwide and had just returned from Milan via Beijing before connecting to Wenzhou. He hopes to experience the C919 on international routes in the future.

To ensure the successful debut and smooth operation of the C919, Wenzhou Airport held preparatory meetings to make comprehensive preparations in terms of facilities, staff, and contingency plans. In preparation, the airport developed a standardized operational manual, organized training for 430 staff members, covering manual-based  learning, new aircraft training, and safety education. The airport also worked closely with Air China to assess gate assignments, inspect equipment, and monitor flight dynamics to ensure seamless operations. In addition, Ameco Wenzhou established a dedicated maintenance system for the route, completed material and equipment assessments, and received maintenance qualification approval from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) on October 12, 2024.

Huang Binjie, a member of the Party Committee and Deputy General Manager of Wenzhou Airport Group, told reporters, “The arrival of the C919 represents a multi-layered opportunity for growth and development of Wenzhou Airport. Its commercial debut makes Wenzhou the second airport in Zhejiang Province capable of handling domestically produced large passenger jet, injecting new vitality into the local aviation market and creating the potential to attract more tourists and business travelers.” This year, Wenzhou Airport plans to seize the opportunity presented by the construction of the Jinhua-Lishui-Wenzhou Open Passage, with the goal of commencing the Phase Ⅲ expansion and reaching a passenger throughput of 15 million. The airport will focus on key areas such as the aviation market, Phase Ⅲ expansion, and safety services, implementing six major improvement initiatives to accelerate its development as a hub and enhance its connectivity. This will contribute to the Zhejiang Provincial Airport Group’s goal of becoming a leading force in high-level opening-up and a key player in the province’s civil aviation sector. It will also support Wenzhou’s efforts to become a driving force for high-quality development across the province.