On June 6, a COMAC ARJ21 aircraft from Chengdu Airlines operating flight EU2977 took off from Khujand International Airport in Tajikistan towards Kashgar’s Leyning Airport in Xinjiang. This marks the official inauguration of the route, the first in Central Asia for the ARJ21 aircraft, and a significant step in the international deployment of Chinese-made commercial airplanes.
Kashgar, located in the southwestern part of Xinjiang, is a crucial political, economic, cultural, and transportation hub in the south. Known for its unique geographical advantage, it connects five countries and links the Eurasian continent through a route. The city is vital in the so-called «Silk Road» and the starting point of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
Khujand, on the other hand, is the second-largest city in Tajikistan. According to the aircraft manufacturer, the route will promote economic, cultural, and tourism exchanges between the cities. It will also contribute to the construction of the «Air Silk Road.
COMAC ARJ21’s increasing importance in Chengdu Airlines’ network
Since launching large-scale operations in Xinjiang in June last year, Chengdu Airlines has based nine ARJ21 aircraft at airports such as Turpan, Yining, and Kashgar. Over the past year, they have opened 43 routes covering 23 airports in Xinjiang, achieving a coverage rate of 92%.
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On the same day, flight YG9097 operated by YTO Airlines with a COMAC ARJ21 aircraft converted from passenger to freighter transported a full load from Yining Airport in Xinjiang to Tashkent International Airport in Uzbekistan. This inaugural commercial flight marks the official service entry of the converted ARJ21 freighter.
The passenger-to-freighter conversion project was officially launched in May 2020. It received airworthiness certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) in January 2023, and the first batch of two aircraft was delivered on October 30 of that year. It has a maximum cargo capacity of 10 tons and a range of 2,778 kilometers. It is primarily used for domestic routes and short-distance international cargo transportation.
Looking ahead, YTO Airlines plans to use the freighter for regular round-trip flights between Yining and Tashkent. It aims to explore operational models for China-made freighters. Additionally, it will promote the internationalization of YTO, creating an international route network covering Asia and reaching Europe.
