China's CE-25A electric aircraft completes first manned intelligent flight in Shandong Province

The CE-25A electric commercial aircraft completed its first manned intelligent flight in Binzhou, Shandong Province, on November 14, 2026. This milestone marks a significant step for the 10-ton class aircraft, which was independently developed by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC). The flight test was conducted with a crew consisting of two pilots and one flight test engineer.

According to reports regarding the mission, the total flight test duration lasted 57 minutes and 46 seconds. This period included 16 minutes and 38 seconds of actual aerial flight, during which the aircraft covered a distance of 60.4 kilometers.

Technical Development and Specifications

The CE-25A is a specialized aircraft designed for intercity commercial flights. It features a design that allows it to carry 19 passengers. To achieve its flight capabilities, the aircraft utilizes an over-wing distributed electric ducted propulsion system. The design of the aircraft follows the CCAR-25 airworthiness regulations established for transport category aircraft. The designation of the model carries specific meanings: the "C" represents China and COMAC, the "E" stands for Electric, the "25" refers to compliance with CCAR-25 regulations, and the "A" denotes the first product in the series.

The development of the CE-25A involved a collaboration between several major entities. It was jointly developed by COMAC, Contemporary Amprex Technology Co., Limited (CATL), and Shanghai Jiao Tong University. This project follows a series of successful testing phases. The aircraft had previously completed 19 autonomous unmanned flight verification tests. The first unmanned intelligent flight for this specific model took place earlier this year on February 2, 2026.

Flight Performance and Future Certification

The CE-25A is engineered with specific performance targets for commercial operations. The aircraft has a maximum takeoff weight of 10 tons and is capable of a range of 400 kilometers. When operating at its cruising altitude of 2,400 meters, the aircraft can reach a cruising speed of 300 km/h.

As the project moves toward commercial viability, the regulatory process is underway. The Civil Aviation Administration of China has accepted the application for the CE-25A type certificate. This certification is a necessary step for the aircraft to eventually enter regular commercial service for intercity travel.

Glossary

• Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) — The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) is an entity that independently developed the CE-25A aircraft. It is also involved in aircraft orders and memorandum of understanding agreements.
• Civil Aviation Administration of China — The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) is an administrative agency of the State Council. It serves as a regulatory agency and has accepted the application for the CE-25A type certificate.
• type certificate — A type certificate is a form of approved data used for mounting or attaching PEDs to aircraft systems. It is a necessary step for an aircraft to eventually enter regular commercial service.