COMAC's battery-electric CE-25A makes first crewed flight in Shandong

First crewed flight

The state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) flew its battery-electric CE-25A with people on board for the first time on Saturday, 14 November, near Binzhou in Shandong province, according to state media. Two pilots and a test engineer were aboard. The flight lasted 16 minutes and 38 seconds, while another account gave the circuit as 38 miles and 17 minutes. The aircraft covered about 60 kilometres and returned to its starting point. The manufacturer described the flight as normal, and reports say the pilots monitored the aircraft and could intervene from the cockpit even though it flew autonomously.

Aircraft and design

The CE-25A has a maximum take-off weight of 10 tonnes and is built to carry 19 passengers. COMAC's published figures give it a cruise speed of 300 km/h, a range of 400 km and a cruising altitude of 2,400 metres, which suits short hops between cities. Propulsion comes from ten electric ducted fans built into the wings, five on each side, in place of conventional propellers. The development drew on cooperation with battery maker CATL, Shanghai Jiao Tong University and other partners. Only three people were on board for the crewed test, against a capacity of 19 passengers.

Test programme

The first unmanned flight took place on 2 February 2026, and 19 further unmanned flights were completed before the crewed test. In August 2026, the US company Heart Aerospace announced the first flight of its X1 prototype, which it described as the largest all-electric aircraft ever to fly. The crewed flight serves as one more check in the programme, letting engineers assess how the aircraft performs with people aboard. Testing now moves from unmanned checks to flights with crew.

Certification and next steps

COMAC has applied to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) for a type certificate, the approval that would clear the way for commercial use. Reports say the CAAC has accepted the application, and Chinese authorities are described as having accepted the request. Foreign regulators would also have to approve the aircraft if it is to be sold outside China. The battery is the decisive open question, since the aircraft must meet technical, range and safety requirements and the coverage of the first flight did not disclose those details. The aircraft could first replace kerosene on some regional flights, gradually, because the battery technology is still immature in quality and price.