China's Sichuan Airlines has begun to operate the 56 to 60-seat Xian Aircraft (XAC)MA60, an upgrade of the Y7-200A derivative of the Antonov An-24.
Five aircraft will be leased to Sichuan by Shenzhen Financial Leasing, which has placed a 60-unit order for the type, for delivery within five years. A further three-aircraft lease contract with Shenzhen is expected from China Northern Airlines. Shenzhen, China's first professional aircraft leasing company, is owned by China Evergreen Bank, China Merchants' Bank and Shenzhen Rural Credit Co-operative.
XAChas been awarded 150 million yuan ($18 million) of government funding for a further modification of the aircraft, which should extend airframe life from the current 25,000 cycles to 30,000-40,000 cycles, reduce the 13,700kg (30,000lb) empty weight by 400kg, increase the 1,600km (865nm) range by 300km and raise maximum take-off weight in hot and high conditions by about 900kg. The aircraft is powered by twin 2,050kW (2,750hp) Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127Js.
Source: Flight International
