China's first self-developed regional passenger jet, the ARJ21, completed its maiden commercial flight on Tuesday morning, carrying more than 70 passengers from Chengdu to Shanghai.

The ARJ21 is China's first medium-to-short range turbofan passenger jet. It holds 78-90 seats and has a range between 2,225-3,700 kilometers. This passenger jet is mainly designed to connect principal airports and those in smaller cities.

The first ARJ21 plane was delivered to Chengdu Airlines in November of last year, and it was granted a license for commercial operation from the Civil Aviation Administration of China after more than 110 hours of test flight without a payload.

Chengdu Airlines now have eight captains who have obtained clearance to fly the ARJ21. The plane will be flying the route between Chengdu and Shanghai, while Beijing, Shenzhen, Nanjing and Guiyang are also possible destinations, according to the airline company.

The aircraft's name ARJ21 is short for "advanced regional jet for the 21st century." ARJ21 features a maximum takeoff weight of 40,500 kilos, a maximum endurance of 60,000 flight hours, or 20 years, and a service ceiling of 11,900 meters. Two GE CF34-10A turbofan engines provide a thrust of 18,000 pounds each.

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