CCTV.com

06-28-2016 17:27 BJT

China's first domestically designed and produced regional jet made its maiden commercial flight on Tuesday. The ARJ-21 flew 70 passengers from Chengdu to Shanghai.

CHENGDU, June 28, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Stewardesses pose for a photo in front of Chengdu Airlines' ARJ21 in Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, June 28, 2016. ARJ21, manufactured by the Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China (COMAC), made its maiden commercial flight from Chengdu to Shanghai Tuesday. The domestically-designed airliner is China's first regional jet manufactured according to international standards. (Xinhua/Liu Kun)

The jet can carry 90 passengers and has a range of of about 2,000 kilometers. Analysts and industry experts say that the development of the ARJ-21 shows China has mastered the research and design capabilities to produce regional jets.



ARJ-21 flights between Chengdu and Shanghai will be available on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.



"It filled a 20-year gap in China's regional jet development, from research and development, marketing, mass production to customer services. It offers valuable experience for China's aviation industry, especially in the large civil aircraft area," said Wu Xingshi, former ARJ-21 chief designer.