Air China retraces historic uprising route

A commemorative Air China flight from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region landed at Tianjin Binhai International Airport at 4:01 pm on Sunday, marking the completion of a special journey retracing the historic "Two Airlines Uprising" route.

As the aircraft taxied slowly across the runway, it received the civil aviation industry's highest ceremonial tribute — a water salute.

Organized by Air China and its parent company, China National Aviation Holding Corporation Ltd, the event, titled "Wings of Patriotism, Flying North with Honor," featured a themed flight operated by the domestically developed C919 aircraft and the opening of a new exhibition in Tianjin to showcase the uprising.

Flight CA104 departed Hong Kong International Airport at 1:19 pm and followed the same route flown 76 years ago, when staff from the then "China National Aviation Corporation" and "Central Air Transport Corporation" flew from Hong Kong to Tianjin in 1949. That historic journey marked the beginning of the new civil aviation industry in the People's Republic of China.

During the flight, passengers received commemorative items, including luggage tags made from retired aircraft materials and themed refreshments. The event highlighted the development of China's civil aviation sector and the progress represented by the domestically produced C919 jet.

In Tianjin, the accompanying exhibition presented archival materials and historical accounts of the 1949 event. The coordinated air and ground activities offered a look back at the origins of China's civil aviation while showcasing advances achieved in recent years.