(Yicai) Nov. 4 -- China Eastern Airlines has successfully carried out its first engine replacement on the C919 airplane, marking a major step in the engineering management and maintenance support of China’s first self-developed large passenger aircraft.

Engineers from the northwest branch of China Eastern Airlines Technology changed the engine of the country’s first C919, delivered in December 2022 and which started flying commercially in May 2023, over a period of nine days, according to a statement made by the government of Pudong New Area.

The team successfully dismantled, replaced and installed the engine and its related components, said the government of Pudong New Area, where the aircraft’s manufacturer Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China is located. It then conducted various performance tests which showed that all operational parameters of the aircraft were normal.

In airplane maintenance, replacing the engine is considered one of the more challenging tasks. The aircraft engine and related parts need to be changed as soon as their service period expires, sent to the engine manufacturer for a comprehensive overhaul, and then returned for use.

The main purpose of this engine replacement was to verify the viability of the C919 engine replacement procedure and to maintain the aircraft, thereby enhancing flight safety, according to the Pudong New Area government.

China Eastern now runs a fleet of eight C919s. Two other major Chinese carriers, Air China and China Southern Airlines, put their C919 jets into operation in September.

Editor: Kim Taylor