C919 Second Final Assembly Plant in Shanghai: Lingang New Area Embraces Ambitious Goals for Domestic Large Aircraft

C919 Second Final Assembly Plant in Shanghai: Lingang New Area Embraces Ambitious Goals for Domestic Large AircraftThe C919, a domestically developed large aircraft, has been leading the development of China's aviation industry in recent years. The final location of its second assembly plant has become a focal point of public attention

C919 Second Final Assembly Plant in Shanghai: Lingang New Area Embraces Ambitious Goals for Domestic Large Aircraft

The C919, a domestically developed large aircraft, has been leading the development of China's aviation industry in recent years. The final location of its second assembly plant has become a focal point of public attention. From inland cities like Nanchang and Xi'an, to its final location in Lingang New Area, Shanghai, the considerations and controversy behind this choice have sparked widespread discussion. This article will delve into the reasons for the selection of Lingang New Area as the C919's second final assembly plant, exploring the strategic considerations and future development directions behind it.

I. Demand for Increased Production Capacity: Market-Driven Layout

Since its successful maiden flight on May 28, 2023, the C919, with its performance and safety assurance meeting international flight standards, has quickly opened up both domestic and international markets. Airlines like China Eastern Airlines, Air China, China Southern Airlines, and Jinpeng Airlines have all joined the C919's operational fleet, with orders exceeding 1450 aircraft. This demonstrates a strong market demand for the aircraft.

To accommodate such rapid development, the C919's production capacity needs to be urgently increased. The selection of Lingang New Area, Shanghai, as the location for the C919's second final assembly plant aims to meet this pressing need. The new plant is expected to cover an area of 330,000 square meters and will consist of 4 C919 assembly lines, along with supporting facilities such as a headquarters building, parts warehouse, roads, greenery, and a tarmac, with a total investment of 119.5 billion yuan. This massive investment reflects the country's high regard for the C919 project and its confidence in its future development.

According to sources in the aviation industry, the Aviation Industry Planning and Research Institute successfully secured a major order for increasing the C919's production capacity, marking the official launch of the second plant construction project. According to the plan, the new plant will be completed in 2027, with an annual production capacity of 150 C919 aircraft, significantly enhancing the C919's market competitiveness and driving China's aviation manufacturing industry towards a higher level.

II. Shanghai Lingang: A Strategic Choice with Concentrated Advantages

Why did the C919's second final assembly plant ultimately choose Lingang New Area, Shanghai? The reasons behind this decision are multi-faceted, encompassing both the advantages of Shanghai as a significant economic hub in China and the unique advantages of Lingang New Area itself.

First, Shanghai, as a key city in East China and the entire country, possesses strong industrial support and a well-established supply chain, capable of providing comprehensive support for the C919. An aircraft requires millions of parts and tens of thousands of design drawings, with its production process involving thousands of suppliers. Shanghai's industrial cluster advantage can ensure a sufficient supply of components and technical support for the C919's production, guaranteeing smooth operations.

Second, Lingang New Area boasts a superior geographical location and infrastructure. Situated in Shanghai Pudong, it is close to Pudong Airport, offering convenient transportation for efficiently transporting the C919 to various destinations both within and outside China. Moreover, Lingang New Area possesses a complete range of supporting facilities, including education, healthcare, housing, and commercial sectors, meeting the needs of aviation manufacturing professionals and providing a guarantee for attracting and retaining talent for the C919 project.

Third, Shanghai possesses a rich reserve of aviation industry talent. The C919's first final assembly plant in Shanghai has accumulated extensive experience and skilled workers, providing valuable experience and human resource reserves for the construction and operation of the second plant. Simultaneously, Shanghai's top universities and research institutions can offer talent and scientific research support for the C919 project, providing intellectual backing for its development.

Fourth, Lingang New Area, as a strategic development area of national importance, enjoys unique policy advantages and development plans. It has reserved nearly 25 square kilometers for the development of domestic large aircraft and boasts a complete industrial chain and 100 Tier 1 suppliers, providing strong support for the large-scale development of domestic large aircraft.

Fifth, Shanghai's internationalization advantage is beneficial for obtaining FAA airworthiness certification for the C919. Airworthiness certification is crucial for commercial aircraft, without which they cannot operate international routes. To obtain airworthiness certification, the C919 needs to undergo rigorous testing and certification. Shanghai's internationalization advantage can assist the C919 in obtaining FAA airworthiness certification.

III. Netizens' Concerns and Responses: Balancing Safety and Development

Despite the numerous advantages of Lingang New Area, Shanghai, some netizens have expressed their concerns. They worry that Shanghai's proximity to the coast might expose it to risks such as military conflicts or natural disasters. These concerns are not unfounded, as Shanghai is indeed close to international air routes and sea lanes, potentially exposing it to geopolitical risks.

These concerns can be analyzed from several perspectives:

First, our country possesses a powerful national defense force, including land-based mid-course missile defense systems and naval forces, capable of effectively protecting the security of coastal cities.

Second, dispersing vital industrial facilities can reduce risks. Even if one location experiences problems, the overall production will not be affected.

Third, inland areas are less prone to natural disasters, reducing the risk of production disruptions caused by natural disasters.

However, we must acknowledge the reality that the C919's production needs to consider various factors, including industrial support, talent reserves, transportation, policy support, and others. Lingang New Area, Shanghai, has advantages in all these aspects, and the country also has a powerful national defense force, which can effectively guarantee the production safety of the C919.

IV. C919: A New Journey for China's Aviation Industry

The establishment of the C919's second final assembly plant marks a significant milestone, signifying that China's aviation industry has entered a new phase of development. The success of the C919 is not only a source of pride for China's aviation manufacturing industry but also signifies that China's aviation industry is gradually stepping onto the world stage.

In the future, the C919 will continue to enhance performance, expand its market reach, and inject new vitality into the development of China's aviation industry. The success of the C919 will also drive the overall development of China's aviation industrial chain, further propelling China's aviation industry towards a higher level.

The future of the C919 is not only the future of domestic large aircraft but also the future of China's aviation industry and China's manufacturing industry as a whole. We believe that with the combined impetus of national policy support and market demand, the C919 will achieve greater success and contribute to the soaring development of China's aviation industry.

References:

• 2023-05-30 16:59 Chang'an Hao's maiden flight was successful! Giving a thumbs up to the "Xi'an Force" behind the "C919" flying sky high

• 2024/08/19 20:53 China Times News Network The second final assembly plant for the C919 large aircraft will be located in Pudong with a full production capacity of 150 aircraft

Written/Edited: Quick Look Zhang

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