China inaugurates homegrown passenger airliner
China's first fully homegrown commercial aircraft, the ARJ-21, rolled off the production line on Friday, marking a major step in the country's aviation programme.
By Agencies |
SHANGHAI: China's first fully homegrown commercial aircraft, the ARJ-21, rolled off the production line on Friday, marking a major step in the country's aviation programme.
In a nationally televised ceremony, the Xiangfeng, or "Flying Phoenix", was towed into a hangar at the Shanghai Aircraft Manufacturing Factory.
| The 'Made in China' Airliner ARJ-21. | |
"Today, China's aviation industry has turned over a new leaf," Lin Zuoming, general manager of China Aviation Industry Corp I, or AVIC I, said in comments carried on the news channel of China Central Television.
The rollout ceremony was closed to most media, apart from state-run CCTV and the official Xinhua News Agency.
AVIC I plans to begin mass production of the 85-seat regional passenger jet in 2009. It is scheduled to make its maiden flight in March.
The highly touted project aims to make state-owned AVIC I a competitor to other makers of smaller passenger jets, such as Canada's Bombardier Inc. and Brazil's Embraer SA, while laying the groundwork for development of a commercial jet twice the size of the ARJ-21.
AVIC I says the ARJ-21 is expected to grab up to 60 per cent of the domestic market for mid-size regional airliners over the next 20 years.
China will need about 900 mid-sized regional jets over the next two decades, the company estimates, as economic growth drives an expansion of air travel and airlines look for planes best tailored to feeder routes.
For more pics click on The 'Made in China' Airliner
The rollout ceremony was closed to most media, apart from state-run CCTV and the official Xinhua News Agency.
AVIC I plans to begin mass production of the 85-seat regional passenger jet in 2009. It is scheduled to make its maiden flight in March.
The highly touted project aims to make state-owned AVIC I a competitor to other makers of smaller passenger jets, such as Canada's Bombardier Inc. and Brazil's Embraer SA, while laying the groundwork for development of a commercial jet twice the size of the ARJ-21.
AVIC I says the ARJ-21 is expected to grab up to 60 per cent of the domestic market for mid-size regional airliners over the next 20 years.
China will need about 900 mid-sized regional jets over the next two decades, the company estimates, as economic growth drives an expansion of air travel and airlines look for planes best tailored to feeder routes.
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For more pics click on The 'Made in China' Airliner
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