China’s AG600 Amphibious Aircraft Receives Type Certificate in Beijing

China’s domestically developed AG600 amphibious aircraft has officially received its type certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), marking its clearance for commercial operation under the country’s civil aviation regulations.

At a presentation ceremony in Beijing, Wei Yingbiao, general manager of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), accepted the certificate from CAAC Deputy Director Hu Zhenjiang amid applause and flashing cameras. Officials from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Ministry of Emergency Management were also in attendance.

The AG600 is now the world’s largest civil amphibious aircraft by takeoff weight to pass market-entry certification, and the first of its kind developed in China to meet civil aviation airworthiness standards.

The aircraft’s development, which began over a decade ago, has focused on supporting emergency response missions such as maritime search and rescue and forest firefighting. With a 15-year timeline that included its first land flight in 2017, water flight in 2018, sea flight in 2020, and the completion of firefighting mission capabilities in 2023, the AG600 now joins the Y-20 military transport and C919 passenger jet as part of China’s large aircraft program.

Since its formal application for certification in 2012, the AG600 program has involved a nationwide collaboration across 22 provincial-level regions, nearly 300 enterprises and institutions, and 16 universities. The team developed a new aircraft technology system and established full capabilities in design, production, system integration, and flight testing.

According to AVIC, the successful certification also improves China's emergency rescue equipment system and strengthens its civil aviation industry’s independence. The AG600 is intended to be the cornerstone of a new emergency rescue aviation system.

Looking ahead, AVIC plans to advance serial development of the AG600 and enhance its operational roles in disaster response. The aircraft is expected to play a leading role in safeguarding national security and natural resources, particularly in regions prone to floods, forest fires, and maritime emergencies.