COMAC Business Jet Enters Service with Deer Jet in China

On June 22, 2026, the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) and Deer Jet launched the first commercial charter flight of the COMAC Business Jet (CBJ), marking the entry into service of China’s first domestically produced VIP aircraft. The maiden flight operated from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (ZSSS) to Beijing Capital International Airport (ZBAA).

According to a press release issued by Deer Jet, an operator affiliated with HNA Aviation Group, the launch represents a critical step in the serialized development of the COMAC C909 program. The CBJ is a VIP derivative of the C909 regional airliner, which COMAC rebranded from the ARJ21 designation in late 2024 to align with its C919 narrowbody and C929 widebody programs.

Operational details and aircraft specifications

The CBJ configuration received its Validation Type Certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) in March 2021, following the initial type certification of the baseline airframe in 2014. Deer Jet will operate the aircraft to serve high-net-worth individuals and corporate clients in the domestic high-end travel market.

The aircraft features a 19-meter cabin that can be configured to accommodate between 12 and 29 passengers. The manufacturer specifications for the CBJ include:

• Maximum range: 2,800 nautical miles (5,000 kilometers) with eight passengers
• Cruising speed: Mach 0.78
• Operating altitude: 35,000 feet typical, certified up to 39,000 feet
• Powerplant: Two GE Aerospace CF34-10A engines, each producing 17,410 pounds of thrust
• Maximum takeoff weight: 43,500 kilograms (95,900 pounds)

Strategic milestones for COMAC and HNA Aviation Group

The entry into service of the CBJ builds upon the operational history of the baseline C909 regional jet, which entered commercial service in June 2016. To date, COMAC has delivered 185 C909 aircraft. The global fleet has carried 36 million passengers across 12 countries and accumulated 1 million safe flight hours over the past decade.

COMAC Chief Accountant Yu Shihai stated that this operational history provides a solid foundation for the safe operation of the CBJ. HNA Aviation Group Chairman Ding Yongzheng described the maiden flight as an important milestone for both companies in advancing the serialized development of domestic civil aircraft.

Deer Jet Business Jet Group President Zhou Wei noted that the company plans to use flexible operating models to promote the CBJ and achieve scaled operations within the domestic market.

AirPro News analysis

The commercial debut of the CBJ represents a tangible advancement in China’s broader strategic initiative to reduce its reliance on Western aerospace technology. Historically, the business aviation sector in China has been dominated by established Western original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) such as Bombardier, Gulfstream, and Dassault. By introducing a homegrown alternative, COMAC is positioning itself to capture domestic market share while demonstrating the versatility of the C909 platform. We view the partnership with Deer Jet as a calculated move to leverage an established operator’s market reputation to build confidence in the new VIP derivative.

Sources: China eVTOL News