December 13, 2023
TOKYO – A ceremonial water salute greeted the arrival of the country’s domestically developed aircraft C919 and ARJ21 in Hong Kong on Tuesday afternoon, ahead a series of activities celebrating their visit.
The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) and the Airport Authority Hong Kong will organize a welcoming ceremony at the apron of Hong Kong International Airport on Wednesday, according to a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government statement.
This will be followed by a static display of the two aircraft at a designated area of HKIA from Wednesday afternoon until Dec 15 to facilitate the visits by the Executive Council, the Legislative Council, invited representatives of the aviation industry and youth groups, among others.
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If weather permits, the C919 will conduct a demonstration flight over Victoria Harbour on Saturday morning. It is estimated that the C919 will take off at 10.30am from HKIA, and will overfly Victoria Harbour twice from west to east.
Members of the public can admire the domestic aircraft up close at both sides of the Victoria Harbour, including the Tsim Sha Tsui East waterfront, Kwun Tong promenade, Quarry Bay Promenade, West Kowloon Waterfront Promenade, the Central and Western District Promenade, and Golden Bauhinia Square.
The home-developed ARJ21 aircraft is welcomed with a ceremonial water salute upon its arrival at Hong Kong International Airport on Dec 12, 2023. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)
To facilitate the flight demonstration, the CAD will establish a temporary restricted flying zone (RFZ) in and around Victoria Harbour. Flying activities, such as the flying of unmanned aircraft systems (drones and model aircraft), kites, captive balloons, mass release of small balloons, will be restricted.
After the fly-past on Dec 16, representatives from the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd, manufacturer of the two aircraft, will meet with over 200 young people at the CAD Headquarters to share interesting facts about the C919 and ARJ21.
The home-developed C919 aircraft lands at Hong Kong International Airport on Dec 12, 2023. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)
The home-developed ARJ21 aircraft lands at Hong Kong International Airport on Dec 12, 2023. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)
The home-developed ARJ21 (left) and C919 aircraft park at Hong Kong International Airport on Dec 12, 2023. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)