China's domestically developed C919 large passenger aircraft has officially begun regular international commercial operations, with its inaugural flight departing from Beijing for Ulaanbaatar on Wednesday afternoon.

Air China's CA723 took off from Beijing Capital International Airport at 3 p.m. local time for the two-hour trip. Upon arrival in the capital of Mongolia, the aircraft is expected to receive a water cannon salute, the highest ceremonial honor in civil aviation, to mark the historic milestone.

As of August 10, the C919 had served 57 routes linking 25 cities and had handled more than 7.5 million passenger trips, official data showed.

The aircraft has also been featured at major international airshows, including two editions of the Singapore Airshow and one in Dubai.