ARJ21

China’s state-owned aircraft manufacturer Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) has announced that it is ready to deliver the country’s first domestically built regional jetliner, ARJ21.

The delivery of the aircraft, initially scheduled for 2007, was delayed due to technical problems.

Comac said the first two of the regional jetliners will be delivered to Chinese carrier Chengdu Airlines following completion of the certification process, reports Associated Press.

China launched the ARJ21 aircraft project in 2002 in a move to enter the Western-dominated aircraft market.

Comac’s ARJ21-700 can accommodate 78 to 90 passengers based on its configuration, and has a range of 2,225km-3,700km.

It successfully completed test flights in North America in March and April.

"Comac’s ARJ21-700 can accommodate 78 to 90 passengers based on its configuration, and has a range of 2,225km-3,700km."

The company currently has 252 orders in place for ARJ21 aircraft.

Meanwhile, the delivery of Comac’s first large commercial passenger jet, C919, has been further delayed to 2018, and its maiden flight is expected to take place later 2015.

The 168-seat C919 single-aisle jet, which is meant to compete with Boeing and Airbus, was initially scheduled to make its first flight in 2014, with deliveries planned in 2016.

The company has already secured 400 orders from 16 customers for the aircraft, including from aircraft leasing company GE Capital Aviation Services.

Comac is also working with Russia to build a next-generation wide-body aircraft. The two parties signed a memorandum of understanding during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to China.

Image: A Comac ARJ21 regional jet. Photo: courtesy of Peng Chen.

Defence Technology