China's first domestically-developed regional jetliner, the ARJ21, landed in Yangzhou in eastern China on Wednesday for the start of a one-month schedule of test flights in the region, People's Daily reported.

 

中国首架自主研发支线客机ARJ21周三降落于扬州，开始为期一月的试飞。

 

The ARJ21, short for Advanced Regional Jet for the 21st Century, is a regional airliner¹ designed and manufactured by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC). Data collected during the flight tests will help to improve the design and commercial use of the aircraft.

 

With 78 to 90 seats and a range of up to 3,700 kilometers, the jet gained flight certification in December 2014 and made its maiden² flight in June 2016. Mass production started in September 2017.

 

COMAC is also the developer of China's C919 passenger aircraft, which conducted its successful maiden flight on May 5 last year.

 

In the future, COMAC is expected to launch an extended-range, cargo³, and business versions of the ARJ21. Compared with the larger C919, the ARJ21 was designed to meet the needs of carriers serving smaller and mid-size cities.

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