Airlines

Comac unveils new smaller and larger variants of the C919

China’s leading aircraft manufacturer, Comac, has announced that two new C919 narrowbody aircraft variants are being developed to meet a variety of operational needs both inside and outside of China.

The C919 Stretched Variant and the C919 Shortened/Plateau Variant are the names of these variants that were on display at the Shanghai International Commercial Aviation & Aerospace Industry Exhibition. Comac seeks to emulate Airbus’ A320 series and Boeing’s 737 MAX models by providing a range of sizes for its standard narrowbody model.

With 210 seats in a two-class arrangement, the C919 Stretched Variant, according to Comac, “conforms to the trend of large-scale development of single-aisle aircraft market.”

The Shortened/Plateau configuration can accommodate 140 passengers and has takeoff and landing performance suitable for all high-altitude airports in China. It has “good potential,” according to Comac, for more derivatives.

With over 10 million passengers flown, Comac’s regional jet, the ARJ21, has achieved a noteworthy milestone. A China Southern Airlines ARJ21 aircraft on the Guangzhou-Jieyang route served as a symbol of this accomplishment. As a result of its increasing presence in regional aviation, the ARJ21 is currently estimated to operate 1,800 weekly flights throughout China and Indonesia.

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Airlines

PIA Reinstates Manchester and Paris Routes After EU Ban Lift

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced plans to resume flights to Europe starting in January, beginning with Paris as its first destination.

The decision follows the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) removal of a long-standing ban on the airline. PIA’s inaugural flight to Paris is scheduled for January 10, with bookings opening on December 9.

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In an official statement, PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez Khan confirmed that the first flight schedule has been approved, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s recovery efforts. The EU ban had previously cost PIA approximately Rs40 billion ($144 million) annually in lost revenue, compounding its financial struggles.

With European operations restarting, PIA is now setting its sights on the United Kingdom. The airline plans to seek approval from the UK Department for Transport (DfT) to resume flights to major British cities such as London, Manchester, and Birmingham.

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These routes are anticipated to see high demand once necessary clearances are obtained. The lifting of the EU ban represents a key achievement for PIA as it works to rebuild its international network and regain its standing in the global aviation market.

By restoring flights to Europe and aiming for UK destinations, PIA is taking critical steps toward recovering lost ground and improving its financial outlook.