China's ARJ21 regional jet programme readies for overseas markets
03 Apr 2008
China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corp (CATIC) and the China Aviation Industry Corporation I (AVIC I) Commercial Aircraft Co Ltd ( ACAC) have signed a strategic cooperation agreement with respect to sales and services overseas of the locally developed regional jet, ARJ21.
Under the agreement, the two sides will provide a full-range of services related to the ARJ21, including international market development, marketing, after-sales service, technology cooperation and overseas purchases.
The maiden flight of the 90-seater ARJ21-700 is scheduled for later in the year, with first deliveries slated for the third quarter of 2009.
ACAC has said that it has already received orders for 181 ARJ21 aircraft from domestic and foreign companies to date.
Established in 1979, the Beijing-based CATIC is a large state-owned company mainly engaged in aviation products and technology imports and exports.