The approval process for the production licence of the ARJ21-700 regional jet has just been kick-started, more than four months after the type received certification.
In a statement, Comac says it held a first meeting with the ARJ21 production certification board on 28 April.
It adds that the production certification is a critical step to ensure that the programme moves from development to mass production.
The Civil Aviation Administration of China issues type certification for the indigenous regional jet last December. The airframer has, however, yet to firm a date for the delivery of the aircraft to launch customer Chengdu Airlines.
A Comac spokesman previously told Flightglobal that the first ARJ21 can only be delivered sometime in 2015, after the CAAC reviews its operation support system and grants it a production licence.
Despite not having the production licence, Comac has been building more aircraft at its final assembly centre north of Shanghai.
When Flightglobal visited the facility in April, aircraft 107 and 109, were in final assembly. Aircraft 105, registered B-010L, has been assembled although no seats have been installed. This will be the first passenger aircraft to be delivered to Chengdu Airlines.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
