China's self-developed jet C919 will be put into operation in a new regular route between Shanghai and Hong Kong on Jan 1, 2025, by China Eastern Airlines, which will be its first commercial flight to destinations beyond the Chinese mainland, according to the Shanghai-based carrier.

Being the first global customer of C919, China Eastern has purchased a total of 105 C919 aircraft from the jetliner's manufacturer Commercial Aircraft Corp of China (COMAC), and the Shanghai-based airliner currently operates the largest C919 fleet globally.

The launch of the regular flight would make Hong Kong the ninth city where China Eastern's C919 fleet is operated after Shanghai, Beijing, Chongqing, Chengdu of Sichuan province, Xi'an of Shaanxi province, Guangzhou of Guangdong province, Taiyuan of Shanxi province and Wuhan of Hubei province.

The Shanghai-Hong Kong flight would be operated on a daily basis, with tickets available for purchase at the official website of China Eastern as well as on the app of the airliner.