COMAC Proceeds FAA Certification for ARJ21

On December 30, 2014, the first Chinese regional jet developed the COMAC called the ARJ21-700 aircraft received the Type Certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) in Beijing, paving the way for the aircraft's entry into service.

COMAC launched the ARJ21 project in 2002 in an attempt to break into the Western-dominated aircraft market. The aircraft took the maiden flight in November 2008 and completed all the required certification test programs early this year.

Recently, the Chinese airframer has completed the half-year route-proving demonstration of the ARJ21 regional jets. The first two of the ARJ21-700 regional jets have been completed for the launch customer Chengdu Airlines (EU), which are expected to be delivered in November 2015, according to COMAC.

The plane was promised for 2007 but delivery was pushed back due to technical problems. The Chinese Civil Aviation Authority had hoped to partner with the FAA to get international certification for the plane, but that has not yet taken place.

To date, COMAC has received a total of 315 orders for the type from 19 customers at home and abroad. If getting FAA certification, then the ARJ21 can be sold globally.