Significance of historical event pondered by flyers

A commemorative Air China flight retracing the historic "Two Airlines Uprising" route — from Hong Kong to Tianjin and Beijing — landed at Tianjin Binhai International Airport on Sunday afternoon, marking 76 years since a pivotal moment in the history of China's civil aviation.

Flight CA104, operated by Air China's domestically-developed C919 aircraft, departed Hong Kong International Airport at 1:19 pm and arrived in Tianjin at 4:01 pm, where it received a traditional "water salute", a ceremonial honor in the aviation industry.

The event was part of a series of activities organized by Air China's parent company, China National Aviation Holding Corp, under the theme "Wings of Patriotism, Flying North with Honor". It aimed to highlight both the historical significance of the 1949 uprising and the progress of China's aviation sector.

During the flight, passengers listened as captain Hao Xin recounted the 1949 event, when staff from the then China National Aviation Corp and Central Air Transport Corp flew 12 aircraft from Hong Kong to Tianjin and Beijing.

Their decision to bring planes and personnel to the Chinese mainland contributed to the establishment of the civil aviation industry in the newly founded People's Republic of China.

Passengers on the commemorative flight received special souvenirs, including a luggage tag made from retired aircraft skin and themed desserts. Many took photos and videos upon arrival in Tianjin, capturing the symbolic moment.

Hao said that the C919's operation on the historic route underscored how far China's aviation industry has advanced since 1949.

"Last year I flew the domestically made C919 to Macao, and this year from Beijing to Hong Kong and back to Tianjin. I believe in the near future, more Chinese pilots will fly this aircraft to even more destinations," he said.

"The C919 attracts attention wherever it goes," Hao said. "That attention and support from the public inspires us to fly it more safely and smoothly."

Reflecting on the broader context, Hao noted that the 12 aircraft that flew north in 1949 symbolized the beginning of China's civil aviation. "From those aircraft to today's C919, this is a legacy passed down through generations," he said. "Our responsibility now is to operate China's large aircraft safely and reliably, and to continue advancing the nation's aviation industry."

Among the passengers was Chen Shaozeng, vice-chairman of the Hong Kong two airlines association and the son of Chen Dali, one of the pilots who took part in the original uprising.

"I am very excited to be on this flight, as it retraces the same route my father flew 76 years ago. Today, I am flying on the C919, China's domestically made jet, along the same route, from Hong Kong to Tianjin," the 76-year-old said.

"Retracing this flight makes me very proud, because it was the dream of my father's generation."

"At that time, there were no communication channels, no weather reports, and the risk of interception was high. Yet they made the flight successfully."

Chen recalled that his father's plane was the first to land in Tianjin on Nov 9, 1949, after light snow had fallen. "With no experience managing a large group of aircraft, he used the plane's transmitter to guide others to land safely. By late afternoon, all 12 aircraft had arrived."

He said the "Two Airlines Uprising" provided essential talent, technology and equipment for the early development of China's civil aviation.

Meanwhile, an exhibition hall showcasing the "Two Airlines Uprising" opened in Tianjin on Sunday, marking a new milestone in preserving and promoting China's civil aviation history.

The opening ceremony featured a historical short film recounting the events of the Two Airlines Uprising in 1949, when staff from the then China National Aviation Corporation and Central Air Transport Corp flew 12 aircraft from Hong Kong to Tianjin and Beijing.

Descendants of participants donated rare historical artifacts, while two surviving veterans of the uprising, Wang Huide and Ding Yukang, both nearly 100 years old, attended the ceremony to reflect on their experiences during the historic moment.