Chinese regional jet programme delayed

Online premium news service Air Transport Intelligence has warned that delivery of China's first ARJ21 regional jet will be delayed for a year or more following flight test problems.

The news service quoted sources close to the programme, as saying the airframer. Comac, is not likely to deliver the first aircraft to launch operator Chengdu Airlines by end-2011 as scheduled.

Among the problems faced by the airframer is the incorrect positioning of aircraft probes which resulted in inaccurate readings during flight testing, ATI said. It claimed that the programme has also not completed its icing tests.

The Chinese had said they would be applying for FAR part 25 certification to enable the aircraft to be made available for international export. Several Middle Eastern airlines that have had difficulty buying regional aircraft from North American and European manufacturers becasue of trade sanctions are said to be interested in the programme