COMAC Delivers First ARJ21 To Chengdu Air

November 29, 2015

China's COMAC has delivered the first ARJ21 to domestic low-cost carrier Chengdu Airlines, calling it a big breakthrough in China's efforts to develop its domestic jet aircraft design and manufacturing capabilities.

China is keen to develop a successful commercial aircraft to rival Boeing and Airbus. But it has been held back by inexperience, a shortage of local aerospace design and engineering talent, as well as a lack of home-grown companies with the technology to help drive the project.

The ARJ21, China's first locally built regional jet, is designed to compete against Embraer and Bombardier.

The aircraft, which seats about 90 passengers, was given permission to fly domestically by China's civil aviation regulators at the end of last year following years of delays due to technological problems.

It has not yet been granted certification by the US Federal Aviation Administration, which will limit its access to overseas markets.

COMAC said in September it had signed a preliminary deal with ICBC Leasing to supply 10 ARJ21s and 10 C919s to Thai airline City Airways.

(Reuters)