China's AVIC I Commercial Aircraft (ACAC) is targeting 21 September for the first flight of its ARJ21-700 regional jet aircraft, according to reports by state-run media in China.
The 90-seat aircraft's first flight was originally scheduled for March but was pushed back by around six months, with ACAC saying it was due to delays by suppliers in providing equipment.
The aircraft was developed in China but many key components are being supplied by foreign companies, including the engines which are being supplied by General Electric.
The People's Daily newspaper says five ARJ21-700s have been built to date and three will be used for initial flight testing.
ACAC has said it hopes to complete fight testing and obtain local certification for the aircraft by the third quarter of 2009, when it aims to deliver the first production aircraft to launch customer Shandong Airlines.
Source: Flight International
