China's regional jet ARJ-21 is expected to take to the sky in 2008 and begin commercial operation one year after that.
The remark was made by an official from the first Airplane Designing Institute with China Aviation Industry Corp. (AVIC I) who is in Shanghai attending an ongoing international aviation and space electronics and equipment fair held here.
The first Airplane Designing Institute with China Aviation Industry Corp. (AVIC I) designed the regional jet ARJ-21.
Information from the international aviation and space electronics and equipment fair said three ARJ-21 regional passenger plane models were displayed at the show, attracting hordes of visitors.
An official with AVIC I Commercial Aircraft Co. Ltd., the producer based in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, said ARJ-21 passenger planes commanded an advantage of adaptability for air routes and airports in west China.
Manufacturing parts and components for the 78- to 90-seat aircraft began in late 2003.
The international aviation and space electronics and equipment fair, the first of the kind ever held in Shanghai, began on Tuesday, with the participation of representatives from over 60 companies.
Also exhibited at the three-day fair were "Shenzhou" spaceship miniature model, two Long March 2D rocket models and some newly developed small unmanned aircraft.
(Xinhua News Agency December 15, 2005)
