China’s 10-Tonne Electric Commercial Aircraft Completes First Crewed Flight
The 19-seat aircraft is designed for regional routes of up to about 400 kilometers, but further testing and certification are required before commercial service.
China's independently developed CE-25A electric commercial aircraft has completed its first piloted flight, marking a significant milestone in the country's efforts to develop electric aviation and expand the range of technologies available to its commercial aerospace industry.
The 10-tonne aircraft completed the flight on November 14 in Binzhou, Shandong Province, with two pilots and one flight-test engineer on board. The aircraft was developed by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) in collaboration with Chinese battery manufacturer CATL, Shanghai Jiao Tong University and other partners.
According to Xinhua, published by China Central Television, COMAC said the aircraft operated normally during the test and that all performance indicators met expectations. The first piloted flight followed a series of unmanned flight tests designed to validate the aircraft's systems and performance.
The CE-25A is COMAC's first electric commercial aircraft. It is primarily designed for short-distance commercial services between cities and can carry up to 19 passengers. Its maximum takeoff weight is 10 tonnes, while its stated cruising speed is 300 kilometres per hour and its cruising altitude is 2,400 metres.
The aircraft has a designed range of approximately 400 kilometres, positioning it for potential regional routes rather than long-distance passenger services. Its electric propulsion system is intended to provide an alternative to conventional aircraft engines for selected short-haul operations.
The aircraft previously completed its first unmanned autonomous flight on February 2, 2026. Since then, it has undergone 19 unmanned flight validations, according to COMAC. The November 14 test was an important next stage because piloted flights allow engineers to evaluate the aircraft under conditions involving human operation and flight-crew procedures.
Aviation regulators will nevertheless require further technical evidence before the aircraft can enter commercial service. The Civil Aviation Administration of China has accepted COMAC's application for a type certificate, but acceptance of an application does not mean that the aircraft has already received certification.
Type certification is a comprehensive process through which regulators assess an aircraft's design, systems, structural integrity and safety performance against applicable airworthiness standards. Manufacturers must demonstrate that the aircraft can operate safely under a range of expected conditions before passenger services can begin.
The CE-25A project also illustrates the importance of cooperation between aerospace manufacturers, universities and battery companies. Electric aircraft require close integration of energy storage, propulsion, thermal management, flight-control systems and structural design.
CATL's participation is particularly relevant because battery performance is one of the central challenges facing electric aviation. Batteries must provide sufficient energy while keeping weight within strict limits. Unlike road vehicles, aircraft cannot easily compensate for heavy energy-storage systems because every additional kilogram affects payload and flight performance.
The aircraft's 400-kilometre design range could make it relevant to regional transport networks, especially routes connecting cities that have limited direct air services. Potential applications may also include specialised passenger transport, tourism and other short-distance operations.
However, the commercial viability of electric aircraft will depend on several factors beyond the successful completion of test flights. Operators will need to assess battery replacement costs, charging infrastructure, maintenance requirements, passenger demand and the economics of operating relatively small aircraft.
The development also comes as China seeks to expand its low-altitude economy and strengthen domestic capabilities across aviation, electric propulsion and advanced manufacturing. The sector includes drones, electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, regional aviation and supporting infrastructure.
The CE-25A's first piloted flight does not yet establish that electric passenger aircraft are ready for widespread use in China. It does, however, demonstrate progress from unmanned testing to a crewed flight programme.
Further certification work and flight testing will determine whether the aircraft can eventually become a commercially viable addition to China's regional aviation market.