Aircraft
China’s ARJ21 Gains Production Certificate
Authorities issue approval for serial production following two and a half years of consultation and documentation analysis
Chengdu Airlines' first ARJ21 takes off from Shanghai. (Photo: Comac)
Chengdu Airlines' first ARJ21 takes off from Shanghai. (Photo: Comac)

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has issued certification for serial production of the Comac ARJ21-700, meaning the manufacturer can now deliver airplanes without the need to gain a separate certificate for each example. The approval, issued on July 9, comes some two and a half years after the airplane gained its type certificate and more than a year and a half after launch customer Chengdu Airlines took first delivery. Now flying two of the airplanes in a 90-seat configuration, Chengdu expects to receive five more of an order for 30 by the end of the year.