China' will roll out its first home-made regional jet this week. says the Commission of Science Technology and Industry for National Defense said on Monday.
The plane, called the ARJ21-700, is a commercial passenger jet.
It was designed and produced by the China Aviation Industry Corporation I (AVIC I).
It will seat between 78 and 90 people. (78 Westerners - 90 Asians?)
The jet will make its maiden flight in the spring and be delivered to its first customers in the third quarter of 2009.
Mass production of the jet will start in 2009.
The ARJ21 program was launched in 2000.
The jet will help AVIC I grab a share of the world's regional jet market which is currently dominated by Canada's Bombardier Inc. and Brazil's Embraer SA.
Do you think China can catch up in the regional jet market?
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