SHANGHAI, November 15, 2026: China’s independently developed CE-25A electric commercial aircraft has successfully completed its first piloted flight, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to develop electric aviation technology.
According to the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), the aircraft completed its maiden piloted flight on Saturday in Binzhou, Shandong Province, carrying two pilots and a flight-test engineer.
COMAC said the aircraft operated normally throughout the flight, with all performance indicators meeting expectations.
The CE-25A is COMAC’s first electric commercial aircraft, designed primarily for short-distance intercity passenger services.
With a maximum takeoff weight of 10 tonnes, the aircraft can accommodate 19 passengers and has a cruising speed of 300 kilometres per hour.
It is designed to operate at a cruising altitude of 2,400 metres and has a maximum range of 400 kilometres.
The aircraft previously completed its first unmanned autonomous flight on February 2, 2026, and has since undergone 19 unmanned flight validation tests.
The CE-25A was jointly developed by COMAC, Chinese battery manufacturer CATL, Shanghai Jiao Tong University and other research partners.
China’s Civil Aviation Administration has accepted COMAC’s application for a type certificate, an important step towards obtaining regulatory approval for commercial operations.
The successful piloted flight represents progress in the development of battery-powered passenger aircraft, although certification and further testing remain necessary before commercial services can begin.