# Zero Jet Fuel Needed as COMAC Completes First Manned Flight of 19-Passenger Electric Plane

> Chinese state planemaker COMAC has completed the first crewed test flight of its 19-seat electric passenger aircraft CE-25A, marking a crucial step toward zero-emission regional aviation.

**Type:** article · **Category:** China · **Published:** 2026-11-15 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/china/bina-evieshana-phyula-urega-19-sitara-vimana-comac-ne-puri-ki-pahali-kru-vali-urana-60105 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** COMAC, Electric Aircraft, CE-25A, China Aviation, CATL, Green Aviation

Aviation technology took a decisive step toward cleaner skies as China's state-owned aerospace manufacturer COMAC conducted the first crewed trial of its all-electric passenger aircraft, the CE-25A. Designed to operate entirely free of conventional aviation fuel, the aircraft accommodates up to 19 passengers and relies entirely on battery-powered propulsion. During this milestone test run, the aircraft carried a three-member crew comprising two pilots and one flight test engineer to monitor core avionics and aerodynamic stability under real-world operating conditions.

## Flight Demonstration Over Binzhou in Shandong
The manned test took place on November 14 in the airspace over the city of Binzhou, located in Shandong province. The comprehensive test procedure lasted a total of 57 minutes and 46 seconds, with the aircraft remaining airborne for 16 minutes and 38 seconds. During the sortie, the plane ascended to a cruising altitude of 2400 meters while covering an aerial distance of 60.4 kilometers. COMAC reported that flight behavior remained stable throughout, with operating benchmarks meeting all technical expectations.

## Wing-Mounted Ducted Fans Replace Jet Turbines
The technical foundation of the CE-25A lies in its electric propulsion architecture, which abandons traditional kerosene-burning combustion turbines. The aircraft features an array of wing-mounted, electrically driven ducted fans. These units channel and accelerate air rearward to produce the aerodynamic thrust necessary for taxiing, ascent, and sustained forward flight. This configuration minimizes acoustic noise levels while achieving zero operational carbon exhaust.

## Speed, Weight Specifications, and Operational Range
In terms of physical parameters, the CE-25A is engineered with a maximum takeoff weight of 10 tons. It cruises at a top speed of 300 kilometers per hour. A fully charged battery system yields an operational flight range of approximately 400 kilometers. These specifications position the model primarily as a regional transport solution tailored for point-to-point connections between nearby municipal centers or secondary airports.

## Certification Milestones and Global Race
The transition to human-piloted testing followed an extensive preliminary phase of automated operations. The development team completed 19 unmanned test flights during the prototype evaluation period, preceded by its maiden autonomous uncrewed flight on February 2, 2026. The manufacturing venture brings together several key industrial and academic entities, including battery specialist CATL, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and related technical bodies.

Before entering commercial service, the aircraft must navigate comprehensive airworthiness evaluations. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has officially accepted the type certificate application for the model. The milestone unfolds amid intensifying international efforts in sustainable flight, with American firm Heart Aerospace developing a 36-passenger hybrid aircraft and Electra designing a 9-seat hybrid platform.

## What this means for you
The realization of electric commercial flight holds long-term implications for the cost, availability, and carbon footprint of short-haul travel.

- **Ticket Affordability:** Replacing expensive kerosene fuel with battery propulsion drastically cuts direct airline operating expenses. This operational efficiency could translate into lower fares on short intercity hops under 400 kilometers.
- **Noise and Carbon Reductions:** Electric propulsion delivers zero inflight greenhouse emissions. Communities near regional runways will also experience substantially lower acoustic disturbances during departures and landings.
- **Regional Connectivity:** Nineteen-seat capacity aircraft can operate economically from smaller runways and municipal airstrips. Travelers will eventually gain faster direct links between secondary cities without routing through major congested hubs.
- **Airworthiness Timeline:** Full passenger deployment remains contingent on comprehensive regulatory approvals. Regular flyers will only see these airframes on ticket schedules after civil aviation authorities conclude rigorous type-certification tests.

## Why this happened
Intensifying regulatory mandates to decarbonize aerospace alongside breakthroughs in high-density energy storage drove the development of the CE-25A platform.

- **Pressure to Decarbonize:** Conventional jet turbines contribute substantially to global atmospheric emissions. Aviation authorities and international bodies are steadily pressing manufacturers to develop zero-fuel alternatives for regional transit.
- **Advances in Battery Density:** Partnerships with specialized battery developers such as CATL enabled adequate power-to-weight ratios to lift 10-ton airframes. Multi-fan ducted electric propulsion systems provide the necessary thrust efficiency without combustion machinery.
- **Short-Haul Economics:** Operating standard fuel-guzzling jetliners on routes under 400 kilometers is often unprofitable for airlines. Compact 19-passenger electric aircraft offer a viable economic profile for regional commuter routes.
- **Path Ahead:** With CAAC accepting the initial certification filing, the program will undergo protracted airworthiness inspections and structural durability testing before any commercial line rollout.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. What is the passenger seating capacity of the CE-25A electric plane?
The CE-25A aircraft is built to seat up to 19 passengers.

### 2. When and where was the manned test flight conducted?
The trial took place on November 14 in the skies over Binzhou, located in Shandong province.

### 3. What are the speed and range specifications of the CE-25A?
The aircraft cruises at up to 300 kilometers per hour with an operational range of around 400 kilometers.

### 4. What altitude and airtime did the aircraft log during the flight test?
It attained an altitude of 2400 meters and remained airborne for 16 minutes and 38 seconds, covering 60.4 kilometers.

### 5. How does the aircraft generate thrust without jet fuel?
It uses an electric propulsion system featuring wing-mounted, electrically powered ducted fans instead of traditional jet turbines.

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