China's CALC buys 30 ARJ21 jets, to deploy them in Southeast Asia
08/01/2021 10:35
BEIJING/SHANGHAI, Jan 8 (Reuters) - China’s Aircraft Leasing
Group (CALC) has signed a firm order with the Commercial
Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) to buy 30 ARJ21 regional
jets, both companies said on Friday.
The aircraft would be deployed in Southeast Asian markets
and CALC was granted a purchase option to place order for 30
additional aircraft, they said.
Deployment in Southeast Asia would mark the first foray into
overseas markets for the ARJ21 aircraft, which has not yet
gained airworthiness certificates from U.S. Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) or European Union Aviation Safety Agency.
COMAC delivered 24 ARJ21 to clients in China last year,
including the first deliveries to its big three airlines.
The aircraft gained certification from the Chinese regulator
in 2014 and its production rate has been picking up pace in
recent years after earlier design issues.
(Reporting by Stella Qiu in Beijing and Brenda Goh in Shanghai;
Editing by Alexander Smith)
((brenda.goh@thomsonreuters.com; +86 (0) 21 2083 0088; Reuters
Messaging: brenda.goh.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))