Shandong Airlines has finally received central government approval to acquire a pair of Bombardier CRJ700s, according to the Canadian manufacturer.
The aircraft will be the first 70-seat regional jets to be operated in China and are due to be handed over next year, says Bombardier China president John Cheh. Shandong, which has five CRJ200s, signed a letter of intent to acquire the aircraft in January 2000.
The Chinese government has been delaying approvals for regional jet purchases in an apparent attempt to encourage Western manufacturers to offer more production work to local suppliers. The government has also slapped a substantial sales tax on regional jet purchases.
Commenting on discussions between Embraer and China Aviation Industry II on setting up an ERJ-145 licensed production line in China, Cheh says: "Bombardier will continue to explore industrial co-operation that is financially and economically sensible to all parties."
Source: Flight International
