Air China deploys COMAC C919 on inaugural Beijing-Ulaanbaatar service

China's domestically‑produced COMAC C919 entered its first regular international schedule when Air China began daily flights between Beijing and Ulaanbaatar on 12 August. The service, operating one round‑trip per day, uses the 158‑seat variant of the mid‑capacity jet and is intended to run through mid‑September.

The launch marks the C919’s debut on a foreign‑nation route, following domestic use and limited service to Hong Kong, which China classifies as a regional destination. While the aircraft remains dependent on Western components, such as CFM International LEAP engines, it is promoted as a step toward reducing reliance on Boeing and Airbus. COMAC has an order for 100 C919s to be delivered through 2031, and certification by the European EASA authority is still under review.