{"id":161721,"date":"2026-10-23T11:01:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T05:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=161721"},"modified":"2026-10-23T05:57:06","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T00:27:06","slug":"china-12000-km-c929-widebody-widebody-moves-ahead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2026\/10\/23\/china-12000-km-c929-widebody-widebody-moves-ahead\/","title":{"rendered":"China\u2019s New C929 Widebody Jet Takes Major Certification Step with Hong Kong"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

SHANGHAI-<\/strong> Hong Kong\u2019s<\/a> aviation regulator has joined China\u2019s latest efforts to advance certification of its C929 long-range passenger aircraft, as officials met in Shanghai on October 21, 2026, to establish the next steps for the programme. Carmen Wong Ka-wah, director of Hong Kong\u2019s Civil Aviation Department (CAD), attended the first joint C929<\/a> type certification meeting, marking another stage in cooperation between mainland Chinese and Hong Kong aviation authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The meeting brought together representatives working under a cooperation arrangement signed in April 2026 by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), Hong Kong\u2019s CAD and the Civil Aviation Authority of Macau. The agreement establishes a framework for the three authorities to coordinate their work on the C929 certification process, drawing on Hong Kong\u2019s experience with earlier Chinese-developed commercial aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Aviation
Photo: Tuqiao | Wikimedia Commons\nhttps:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:C929_model_at_2026_Singapore_Airshow_1.jpg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

C929 Certification Plans<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The C929 is being developed as China\u2019s first domestically developed twin-aisle, long-range wide-body passenger aircraft. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the programme specifications cited in the announcement, the aircraft is designed to accommodate up to 290 passengers and achieve a range of approximately 12,000 kilometres, positioning it for long-haul and transoceanic operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its intended role differs from that of the C909 regional jet and the C919 single-aisle passenger aircraft<\/a>, which primarily serve shorter routes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The C929\u2019s planned capacity and range place it in the wide-body category, where aircraft must meet demanding requirements for long-distance operations, system reliability and passenger safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Type certification will require the aircraft to demonstrate compliance with applicable airworthiness standards before it can enter commercial service. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The joint cooperation framework provides a basis for the participating authorities to coordinate their technical contributions as the programme advances, although the meeting announcement did not specify a certification timetable or an expected entry-into-service date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Hong
Photo: Hong Kong International Airport<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Hong Kong\u2019s Aviation Role in COMAC<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Wong said Hong Kong\u2019s CAD had participated in airworthiness certification reviews for the C909 and C919 since 2007, following invitations from the mainland regulator. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She described the opportunity to contribute to the C929 programme as an honour and said the department would apply its previous experience to support the new aircraft\u2019s certification work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hong Kong\u2019s representatives shared their experience of international aircraft certification practices during the Shanghai meeting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They also finalised a blueprint and cooperation arrangements for subsequent support working groups, establishing a structure for continued collaboration among the participating authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The department\u2019s involvement builds on a working relationship developed through earlier Chinese commercial aircraft programmes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its experience in airworthiness reviews and knowledge of international certification practices could contribute technical expertise to the C929 process, while the cooperation arrangement formalises how the three aviation authorities will coordinate their support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chinese
Photo: COMAC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

China\u2019s Aviation Strategy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hong Kong\u2019s CAD said the cooperation supports the high-quality development of China\u2019s civil aviation sector and will deepen integration between Hong Kong\u2019s aviation industry and the country\u2019s wider aerospace sector. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The department also linked the initiative to development opportunities under China\u2019s 15th Five-Year Plan, which covers 2026\u20132030.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The arrangement gives Hong Kong a defined role in a major domestic aircraft development programme while maintaining cooperation with mainland and Macau aviation authorities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For China, the C929 represents an effort to expand its commercial aircraft portfolio beyond regional and single-aisle models into the long-range wide-body market, China Labor Bulletin Board<\/a> reported. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wong was scheduled to return to Hong Kong on October 21 after the meeting. The announcement confirmed that the participants had agreed on the framework for subsequent working groups, but did not disclose further technical milestones or a revised timeline for the C929\u2019s certification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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COMAC Eyes 5% of the Aircraft Market Share in the World by 2045<\/a><\/blockquote>