COMAC CE-25A electric aircraft completes first piloted flight in Shandong Province

The COMAC CE-25A electric commercial aircraft completed its first piloted flight on November 14, 2026, in Binzhou, Shandong Province. This milestone flight included two pilots and one flight-test engineer on board the aircraft. The total duration of the piloted flight test was 57 minutes and 46 seconds, which included 16 minutes and 38 seconds of time spent in the air.

Flight test details and performance

During the airborne portion of the test, the CE-25A covered approximately 60.4 kilometres. The aircraft is a 10-tonne-class electric aircraft specifically designed for intercity passenger travel. It features a passenger capacity of 19 people and utilizes an electrically powered distributed ducted-fan propulsion system that is integrated into its wings. The technical specifications for the aircraft include a cruising speed of 300 kmph and a cruising altitude of 2,400 metres. The maximum range for the CE-25A is 400 kilometres.

This piloted mission follows a series of successful autonomous tests conducted by the manufacturer. The CE-25A first completed an autonomous unmanned flight on February 2, 2026. Prior to this successful piloted flight, COMAC conducted 19 autonomous unmanned flight validation tests to ensure the stability and functionality of the electric propulsion system.

Development and certification status

The development of the CE-25A was a collaborative effort involving several major institutions. COMAC developed the aircraft in collaboration with the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CATL) and Shanghai Jiao Tong University. This project represents the first electric commercial aircraft produced by COMAC.

Regarding the regulatory pathway for the aircraft, the Civil Aviation Administration of China has accepted the application from COMAC for type certification for the CE-25A. This certification is a necessary step for the eventual commercial operation of the electric aircraft in the regional aviation market.

Global electric aviation landscape

The successful testing of the CE-25A occurs as various international companies develop different technologies for electric and hybrid aviation. In September 2026, Heart Aerospace unveiled a redesigned 36-seat hybrid-electric regional aircraft named the ES-36. The Heart Aerospace ES-36 has a battery-only range of 125 miles and a hybrid range of 745 miles.

Other manufacturers are pursuing different configurations for short-range flight. Electra is currently developing the EL9 Ultra Short, which is a nine-passenger hybrid-electric aircraft. The maiden flight for the Electra EL9 Ultra Short is expected by early 2028. Additionally, the Lange E1 Antares exists as a single-seat, fully electric self-launching motor glider that received European aviation certification in 2006.

Glossary

• Shanghai Jiao Tong University — Shanghai Jiao Tong University is an institution that collaborated with COMAC and the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology on the development of the CE-25A aircraft.
• Civil Aviation Administration of China — The Civil Aviation Administration of China is a regulatory agency that has accepted the application from COMAC for the type certification of the CE-25A.
• type certification — Type certification is a necessary regulatory step for the eventual commercial operation of an electric aircraft in the regional aviation market.
• hybrid range — Hybrid range refers to the distance an aircraft can travel using a hybrid powertrain, such as the 745 miles achieved by the Heart Aerospace ES-36.