China's C919 jet conducts successful cold-weather tests

HOHHOT -- China's indigenously-developed C919 large passenger aircraft has successfully conducted cold-weather test flights in Hulunbuir, North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, local authorities said Thursday.

The test, designed to verify the performance of the aircraft system and equipment in extremely cold weather, lasted for 20 days in Hulunbuir, with the lowest testing temperature hitting nearly minus 40 degrees Celsius.

Hulunbuir was chosen for the test flights as the city is known for its cold weather, with an average temperature of minus 25 degrees Celsius during winter.

C919, China's first self-developed trunk jetliner, has 158-174 seats and a range of 4,075-5,555 km. The plane rolled off the production line in 2015 and conducted its successful maiden flight in 2017.

The aircraft is expected to receive an airworthiness certificate issued by the aviation authority and will be put into service this year.