First Chinese Commercial Jet Positioned To Compete In The Regional Jet Market

China's CAAC has certified the Comac ARJ21-700 airliner, clearing the way for deliveries of the single-aisle airplane.

The jet is intended to be competition for airplanes in the 75-90-passenger segment of the market, and Comac has 321 orders for the airplane, almost entirely from Chinese airlines, according to a report in the Puget Sound Business Journal.

Certification comes eight years behind schedule, according to the paper, which says the airplane is over weight and outdated compared to other airplanes in the segment. It is expected to enter into service of May of this year.

It has not been certified by the FAA or EASA.

Still waiting in the wings is the C919, which is being developed to compete in the single-aisle market with Boeing's 737 and the Airbus A320. Comac reportedly has 430 orders for that airplane, again mostly from Chinese carriers.

The only Western company to have placed an order with Comac for either airplane is GECAS, which plans to take delivery of five AJR21s and 20 C919s.

(Image provided by Comac)

FMI: http://english.comac.cc/