Comac ARJ21

China Eastern Airlines’ new subsidiary will fly domestic regional routes once operational.

Air China put its first COMAC ARJ21 into operation July 10, flying the regional jet from Beijing on a thin route to Inner Mongolia.

COMAC has delivered the first ARJ21-700s to China’s three state-owned carriers: Air China, China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines.

China Express Airlines on June 10 will sign a preliminary agreement to buy 50 Comac ARJ21s and take options on 50 more, industry sources said.

China’s state-owned aircraft manufacturer COMAC rolled out the first ARJ21-700 regional jet destined for Air China while also debuting the corporate jet variant, the COMAC Business Jet (CBJ).

The COMAC ARJ21 regional jet will enter service with its third operator on May 16, following the handing over of one aircraft of the type to Jiangxi Air.

A China Eastern subsidiary set up to fly Comac aircraft will serve coastal districts from the Yangzi River Delta and retain the business aviation operation on which it has been based, the parent company said.

China Southern Airlines expects to receive its first COMAC ARJ21 regional jet in March, the airline said, detailing initial operations.