China tests future of aviation with 19-seater fully electric aircraft

New Delhi, Nov 15: After making significant strides in the electric vehicle industry, China is now advancing rapidly in the field of aviation. The country has successfully conducted the first piloted flight of the CE-25A, a fully electric commercial aircraft capable of operating both with and without a pilot.

The CE-25A is a 10-tonne electric aircraft equipped with electric propellers and designed primarily for short-haul regional travel. It can carry up to 19 passengers and is expected to play a key role in the development of environmentally friendly aviation technologies.

According to reports, the aircraft can reach a maximum speed of 300 kmph and travel up to 400 kilometres on a single charge. The successful flight took place in Binzhou, located in eastern China's Shandong Province.

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During the test, the aircraft carried two pilots and a flight test engineer, marking its first successful manned flight.

Developed by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), the CE-25A is the company's first electric commercial aircraft.

The aircraft is intended for intercity transportation and regional commercial operations. It has a maximum take-off weight of 10 tonnes and can fly at altitudes of up to 2,400 metres.

COMAC stated that the aircraft performed normally throughout the test, with all systems operating as expected. The company highlighted that the results met performance targets and represented an important milestone in the development of electric aviation.

Notably, the CE-25A completed its first flight earlier this year in February without a pilot on board. The latest test marks the transition from autonomous trials to piloted operations, bringing the aircraft one step closer to commercial deployment.

The project is the result of collaboration between COMAC, Chinese battery manufacturer CATL, Shanghai Jiao Tong University and several other partners.

China's Civil Aviation Administration has also accepted COMAC's application for a type certificate, a crucial step toward regulatory approval and future commercial use.

The successful flight of the CE-25A reflects China's growing ambitions in sustainable aviation and could accelerate the adoption of electric aircraft for regional transport in the coming years.