China’s C909 Opens Second High-Plateau Route in Xinjiang
On June 23, 2026, Chengdu Airlines’ COMAC C909 aircraft successfully inaugurated a new route connecting Urumqi, Hejing Bayinbuluke, and Kashgar in China’s Xinjiang region, marking the second high-plateau route operated by the domestically produced regional jet. The “Swan” themed flight landed at Hejing Bayinbuluke Airport, situated at an elevation of 2,506.85 meters (8,224 feet), according to Xinhua News Agency.
High-Plateau Aviation Milestone
Hejing Bayinbuluke Airport, which opened in August 2024, is Xinjiang’s second high-plateau airport. Under Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) standards, airports above 2,438 meters (8,000 feet) are classified as high-plateau, presenting unique operational challenges including lower air density, reduced engine performance, rapid weather changes, and complex terrain requiring specialized navigation procedures. The C909’s ability to operate reliably in these conditions represents a significant technical achievement for China’s domestic aviation industry.
The new route follows the C909’s first high-plateau service between Kashgar and Taxkorgan, demonstrating the aircraft’s growing capability in demanding high-altitude environments. Red Star News reported that the airport welcomed the aircraft with a ceremonial water cannon salute, marking its first regularly scheduled commercial passenger service since opening. Prior to this, the airport had only seen temporary operations using smaller “King Air 350” aircraft.
Xinjiang now has two high-plateau airports — Taxkorgan and Hejing Bayinbuluke — and the C909’s successful operations at both underscore the aircraft’s maturation from initial deployment to diversified, challenging route structures.
Route Details and Schedule
The Urumqi → Hejing → Kashgar route operates three times weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Flight EU1909 departs Urumqi at 13:55, arrives at Hejing Bayinbuluke at 14:55, departs again at 15:35, and reaches Kashgar at 17:05. The return flight, EU1910, departs Kashgar at 17:45 and returns to Urumqi at 21:05 after the Hejing stopover. Each leg of the journey takes approximately one hour, dramatically reducing travel time to the Bayinbuluke Grassland region from over six hours by road.
A Decade of Commercial Service
The route expansion comes as the C909 program celebrates its 10th anniversary of commercial operations. Since the world’s first C909 began commercial service on June 28, 2016, Chengdu Airlines’ fleet has carried over 9 million passengers. A representative from Chengdu Airlines told Xinhua that the 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,” continuously advancing domestic commercial aircraft into a new phase of large-scale operations.
According to Sichuan Online, Chengdu Airlines Chief Accountant Huang Lijing stated that the carrier will leverage the C909’s advantages of “short range, multi-segment, trunk-feeder connectivity” to continuously expand the Xinjiang route network and increase flight frequency.
Chengdu Airlines entered Xinjiang operations on June 2, 2023, and has since built an extensive network centered on Urumqi, with sub-hubs at Turpan, Yining, and Kashgar. The carrier now operates over 60 routes across Xinjiang, serving 28 airports, and has launched international services connecting Kashgar to Khujand in Tajikistan and Osh in Kyrgyzstan, enhancing connectivity between western China and Central Asia.
Broader Industry Context
As of March 2026, COMAC has delivered 210 C909 aircraft globally, with the fleet exceeding 1 million flight hours and carrying over 30 million passengers. The aircraft, originally designated the ARJ21 before being rebranded as the C909 in November 2024, has expanded beyond China to international operators including TransNusa (Indonesia), Lao Airlines, and VietJet (Vietnam). Wikipedia notes that the aircraft is a 78-97 seat regional jet powered by General Electric CF34 turbofan engines, with a range of 2,225 to 3,700 kilometers.
The C909 program has faced challenges including development delays, competition from established regional jets such as the Embraer E-Jet family, and dependence on foreign suppliers for engines and avionics. However, with 210 aircraft delivered and expanding international operations, the program is gaining significant momentum. The aircraft’s ability to operate on high-plateau routes — a capability not all regional jets possess — positions it as a versatile option for operators in mountainous regions worldwide.
Tourism and Economic Impact
Bayinbuluke Grassland is a national-level eco-tourism area featuring the famous “Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns” of the Kaidu River. The new route, timed for the peak summer tourism season, is expected to boost local economic development, hospitality growth, and rural revitalization in the region. The “Swan” themed aircraft, featuring exterior livery that incorporates the river’s bends, sunset golden valleys, and swan lake wetlands, serves as a flying advertisement for the destination. Interior cabin elements including luggage racks, tray tables, and seat headrests showcase landscapes from the Duku Highway and the surrounding region, immersing passengers in the destination before they even arrive.
Looking Ahead
The successful operation of a second high-plateau route validates the C909’s technical capabilities and signals China’s continued commitment to expanding domestic aviation manufacturing and improving connectivity in its western regions. As Chengdu Airlines continues to leverage the C909’s strengths in short-range, multi-segment operations, the aircraft is poised to play an increasingly important role in connecting remote and high-altitude communities across China and potentially in other markets with challenging geographic conditions.