China has introduced a "flying hospital" concept using the COMAC C909 jet, a joint project with Fudan Eye and ENT Hospital. Its maiden mission in September 2025 delivered essential medical care to remote areas in Xinjiang.
The aircraft features a Class 1 sterile operating room that can be assembled in just eight hours without permanent bolts, allowing the cabin to transform into a functional surgical suite. Initially used for eye and ENT procedures, the concept expanded in December 2025 when Sun Yat-sen University's Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center performed cataract surgeries directly on the tarmac at Zhengzhou Airport.
The project aims to provide remote populations with immediate access to surgical care without the need for extensive travel. This partnership between aviation and medicine serves as a model for bridging regional healthcare gaps, offering a template that other vast countries could look to adopt.