Hainan Airlines announced that its low-cost subsidiary, Urumqi Air, plans to acquire 40 C909 regional aircraft, formerly known as the ARJ21-700. Deliveries are scheduled to occur between 2025 and 2032, pending shareholder approval.
Urumqi Air currently operates a fleet of 15 Boeing 737-800s, according to ch-aviation data. The addition of the C909s will support the regional capacity of the Xinjiang-based carrier and align with China’s push to promote domestically-produced aircraft.
The C909, rebranded from the ARJ21-700, was officially renamed during Zhuhai Airshow 2024, China’s largest aviation event. The name change aligns with the manufacturer’s existing naming conventions, such as the C919 narrowbody and the upcoming C929 widebody aircraft. The updated designation had already been spotted on aircraft at Shanghai Pudong Airport in mid-October 2024, fueling speculation ahead of the airshow.
First entering service in June 2016, the ARJ21 has mainly proven popular among Chinese airlines and is operated internationally by Indonesia’s Transnusa. To date, 146 units have been delivered.
COMAC also confirmed Air China as the launch customer for its highly anticipated C929 widebody aircraft during the Zhuhai Airshow.