China sends homegrown jumbo passenger jet C919 into sky

China sent its homegrown large passenger plane C919 into sky on Friday, May 5, 2017, becoming one of the world's top makers of jumbo aircraft. (Photo: China News Service/Zhang Hengwei)

China's homegrown large passenger plane, the C919, took to the skies on Friday.

The flight makes China the fourth jumbo jet producer after the United States, Europe and Russia. It also marks a milestone for the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), the Shanghai-based manufacturer of the C919.

The twin-engine plane departed from Shanghai Pudong International Airport with five crew members on board but no passengers.

The "C" in the aircraft's name stands for both China and COMAC, while 9 symbolizes "forever" in Chinese culture, and 19 represents the 190 seats at maximum capacity.

With a standard range of 4,075 kilometers, the narrow-body jet is comparable with updated Airbus 320 and Boeing's new generation 737, signaling the country's entry into the global aviation market.