China’s C909 Opens Second High-Plateau Route as Xi-Yu Rail Tunnel Breaks Through

China marked two major milestones in its domestic transportation infrastructure on June 23, as the domestically produced C909 commercial aircraft launched its second high-altitude plateau route and the Beiping Tunnel on the Xi’an–Chongqing High-Speed Railway (Xi-Yu HSR) was successfully completed, according to reports from Xinhua News Agency and CCTV.

C909 Expands High-Plateau Operations

The C909 aircraft, operated by Chengdu Airlines in a distinctive “Swan” themed livery, inaugurated the Urumqi–Hejing–Kashgar route, touching down at Hejing Bayinbuluke Airport at an elevation of 2,506.85 meters (8,224 feet). Under ICAO standards, airports above 2,438 meters are classified as high-plateau airports, which present unique operational challenges including low air pressure, strong air currents, and complex meteorological conditions.

This is the second high-plateau route for the C909, following the earlier Kashgar–Tashikuergan service. The new route operates three times weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Flight EU1909 departs Urumqi at 13:55, arrives at Hejing at 14:55, and continues to Kashgar by 17:05, with the return flight EU1910 completing the circuit back to Urumqi by 21:05.

According to a Chengdu Airlines representative cited by Xinhua, the C909 program has come a long way since its commercial debut in 2016. “Chengdu Airlines’ C909 fleet has grown from serving its first passenger to carrying over 9 million passengers, from single-base operations to multi-hub coordination, and from regular routes to high-plateau and international routes,” the representative said, noting that the aircraft is “continuously pushing domestic commercial aircraft into a new phase of large-scale commercial operations.”

The C909, originally designated the ARJ21 “Xiangfeng,” is China’s first domestically developed regional jet, seating 78 to 90 passengers. Developed by COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China), it was rebranded as part of a unified naming scheme alongside the larger C919 and forthcoming C929. The aircraft’s proven capability in high-altitude environments strengthens confidence in China’s domestic aviation industry and could boost export prospects for countries with mountainous terrain.

Xi’an–Chongqing High-Speed Railway Tunnel Breakthrough

On the same day, the 7,582-meter Beiping Tunnel on the Xi’an–Chongqing High-Speed Railway was successfully completed, as reported by CCTV. The tunnel breakthrough represents a critical milestone for the Xi-Yu HSR, which is part of China’s national “Eight Vertical and Eight Horizontal” high-speed rail network.

The Xi’an–Chongqing HSR is designed for speeds of 350 km/h and is expected to enter service by 2028. Once operational, it will slash travel time between the two major western Chinese cities from the current fastest journey of approximately five hours to around two hours. The railway connects Shaanxi, Sichuan, and Chongqing — key western provinces — and will link with existing lines including the Chengdu–Chongqing, Zhengzhou–Chongqing, and Xi’an–Yan’an high-speed railways.

Multiple tunnels on the Xi-Yu HSR have been completed in 2025 and 2026, including the Fankuai Tunnel in May 2026 and the Daxiangdong Tunnel in October 2025, keeping the project on track for its 2028 completion target.

Broader Infrastructure Context

The two projects are part of China’s broader Western Development Strategy, aimed at improving connectivity in the country’s less-developed western regions and reducing regional economic disparities. High-plateau aviation routes are critical for connecting remote mountainous communities in Xinjiang, Tibet, and Qinghai, while the Xi’an–Chongqing HSR serves as a key link in both the Belt and Road Initiative and domestic economic circulation strategies.

The same day also saw progress on other major projects: the Qinglongmen Bridge in Zhejiang achieved its main span closure, and Qingdao Port’s North Africa general cargo route surpassed 210,000 tonnes in exports for January–May 2026, representing 200% year-on-year growth.

Looking Ahead

With the C909 now operating two high-plateau routes, attention turns to COMAC’s plans for further expansion, including potential routes in Tibet and Qinghai provinces and the development of a high-altitude variant of the larger C919. Meanwhile, the Xi’an–Chongqing HSR continues to advance toward its 2028 completion, promising to transform economic interactions between Shaanxi and Chongqing when it opens.