China's first home-made regional jet is expected to roll off the production line on Friday, the Commission of Science Technology and Industry for National Defense said here on Monday.

The ARJ21-700 commercial passenger jet was designed and produced by the China Aviation Industry Corporation I (AVIC I). It seats between 78 and 90 people.

The jet was expected to make its maiden flight in March and be delivered to the first customers in the third quarter of 2009. AVIC I was scheduled to start mass production of the jet in 2009.

The ARJ21 program, launched in 2000, will help AVIC I grab a share of the world's regional jet market, currently dominated by Canada's Bombardier Inc. and Brazil's Embraer SA.

(Xinhua News Agency December 18, 2007)