First domestic regional jet delivered

Seven routes planned to serve western areas; completion of 4 more aircraft expected in 2016

Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China delivered its first regional aircraft - designated the ARJ21-700 - to Chengdu Airlines on Sunday, after the jet took 5,258-hour testing flights over the past seven years.

"The ARJ21 regional aircraft is the first step in China's civil aircraft development strategy. It's also an achievement for the Made in China 2025 strategy," said Miao Wei, minister of industry and information technology. Miao attended the delivery ceremony and was aboard the flight from Shanghai to Chengdu on Sunday.