Beijing, 27 August 2024 (TDI): Eight Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force planes departed from an airport in Northwest China on Monday for an air show in Egypt that is scheduled to take place from September 3-5, according to China’s Ministry of National Defense on Monday.
The planes include one Y-20 – China’s domestically manufactured large transport aircraft – and seven J-10 performance jet from the Bayi Aerobatic Team, the ministry said.
Xie Peng, a spokesperson for the air force of the PLA, said that this will be the Bayi Aerobatic Team’s first performance in an African nation and also the farthest flight overseas to date.
During the air show, the Y-20 jet is set to make its debut performance abroad, Xie added.
The planes are scheduled to fly over the pyramids in Egypt. Li Bin, leader of the Bayi Aerobatic Team, said the pyramids are a symbol of ancient Egyptian civilization and Li believes this show is sure to be a historical witness to the friendship between Egypt and China.
Pilot Yuan Bo said that aircrew have streamlined the accompanying supplies and designed a specific set of maneuvers for the Y-20’s debut performance.
Military expert Wang Mingzhi said that the flight to Egypt will span about ten thousand kilometers with transfers and cross multiple time zones amid rapidly changing temperatures, and it will pose a challenge to the flying skills and physical endurance of the pilots.
