First made-in-China jetliner makes debut commercial flight

The COMAC chairman, Jin Zhuanglong, said the flight "signifies the first time a domestically made regional jet has been used by a Chinese airline."

A Chengdu Airlines ARJ21-700 regional jet taxis after landing at the Hongqiao Airport in Shanghai, China, on Tuesday. The first regional jet produced in China's initiative to compete in the commercial aircraft market made its debut flight Tuesday carrying 70 passengers.

The first regional jet produced by a Chinese government initiative to compete in the commercial aircraft market has made its debut flight.

The ARJ21—700 jet operated by Chengdu Airlines made the two-hour flight on Tuesday from the western city of Chengdu to Shanghai with 70 passengers.

The plane is intended to make its state-owned manufacturer, Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China, a competitor to Bombadier Inc. of Canada and Brazil’s Embraer SA.

The COMAC chairman, Jin Zhuanglong, said the flight “signifies the first time a domestically made regional jet has been used by a Chinese airline.”

China is one of the biggest aviation markets but relies on foreign-made aircraft. The ARJ21 and a full-size jetliner also under development, the C919, are aimed at clawing benefits that flow to foreign commercial suppliers.