Recently, with the sixth C919 newly manufactured by COMAC sprayed with the standard livery of China Eastern Airlines, it means that the fleet of 10 domestic large aircraft under construction of China Eastern Airlines is about to usher in a new member with registration number B-919G.
An increase in the number of aircraft means an expansion of the route network. China Eastern Airlines has previously put all five C919s into operation on three regular commercial routes: Beijing-Shanghai, Shanghai-Chengdu and Shanghai-Shaanxi. In the future, with the addition of the sixth, seventh and eighth C919s, China Eastern will undoubtedly open up more new routes, further expand its route network, and provide more convenient travel options for the majority of passengers.
In accordance with the overall plan of "four beams and eight pillars" for the construction of its domestic route network, the C919 passenger aircraft will rely on the four strategic hubs of Shanghai, Beijing, Kunming and Xi'an as the "beams" to firmly support the framework of the entire route network. At the same time, eight major cities such as Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Xiamen, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Qingdao and Wuhan will be used as "pillars" to further strengthen the fulcrum function of the network and ensure closer connections between hubs.
Under the guidance of this plan, China Eastern will make every effort to promote the route layout of the C919 fleet in these important markets, and continuously improve the passenger distribution capacity and efficiency in these key markets by increasing the frequency of flights and optimizing the route network structure. In this way, China Eastern aims to create an efficient and convenient air transportation system, provide passengers with richer and more flexible travel options, and promote the coordinated development of the regional economy.
At present, in the "four beams" strategic layout of China Eastern Airlines, that is, the four major cities of Shanghai, Beijing, Kunming and Xi'an, only Kunming has not yet ushered in the flight of C919. Therefore, China Eastern Airlines' next fourth C919 route is likely to connect the two beautiful cities of Shanghai and Kunming.
As for the "Eight Pillars" of China Eastern Airlines, only Chengdu has opened the C919 route. Considering the important position of Guangzhou and Shenzhen in the mainland's economic and transportation network, it is very likely that China Eastern Airlines' next fifth and sixth C919 routes will be opened in these two cities.
In addition, according to netizens, the C919 passenger plane is expected to open up a new outbound route to connect Shanghai with the bustling Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Once opened, this route will greatly facilitate the travel of residents and business people from both places, and will also further promote economic and cultural exchanges between the Yangtze River Delta region and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
With the continuous growth of China Eastern Airlines' C919 fleet and the continuous optimization of its route network, as well as the introduction of C919, a large domestic aircraft, by more and more airlines, we will see more C919 routes born.