More than 70 regional jets with China's own innovation have been ordered and the maiden flight is scheduled for March 2008, said senior executives of the aircraft makers involved in the project.
ARJ-21, which is short for "advanced regional jet for the 21st century", is expected to be delivered to clients beginning the third quarter of 2009, said Liu Daxiang, a senior executive of the China Aviation Industry Corporation I.
The production of ARJ-21 components is going on well, and major parts including the nose and wing have been sent toShanghaifor final assembly, said Liu on the sidelines of the annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC), the top legislature.
The buyers include leading regional airlines such asShanghai AirlinesCo., Ltd. andShandongAviation Group, said Li Fangyong, board chairman and general manager of Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. An electric renting company in Shanghai and an airline company based in Xiamen of Fujian Province have also signed letters of intent to buy the aircraft.
Both Liu and Li are NPC deputies, or legislators. And their companies contribute to parts of the plane.
The feeder liner is expected to see a booming business with the country's policy of supporting regional aviation, Li said.
ARJ-21 has a passenger cabin 3.14 meters wide and 2.06 meters high with 78 to 105 seats. It can fly at an altitude ceiling of 39, 000 feet.
Beginning 2002, the ARJ-21 project joins the hands of eight domestic aviation companies and 19 international component suppliers.
