Aviation News – China has achieved a major milestone in sustainable aviation as its first domestically developed fixed-wing electric commercial aircraft, the CE-25A, successfully completed its maiden piloted test flight in Shandong province.
The historic test flight took place on November 14, 2026, in Binzhou, located southeast of Beijing. The aircraft carried a crew consisting of two pilots and a flight test engineer, marking a critical transition from uncrewed trials to crewed validation.
Developed by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) alongside key research and industrial partners, the CE-25A builds upon extensive groundwork, including prior autonomous flight testing, to spearhead China’s push into green aviation and intercity transport.
The aircraft stayed airborne for 16 minutes and 38 seconds, covering 37.5 miles (60.4 kilometers) during an overall test duration of 57 minutes and 46 seconds that encompassed comprehensive ground operations. Powered by advanced battery-electric propulsion, the clean-sheet design showcases the feasibility of short-haul electric flight and significantly lowers carbon emissions for regional routes.
