A REGIONAL airliner built by Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China Ltd. (COMAC) started domestic test flights yesterday, a key step for its expected commercial debut at the end of this year.

    A twin-engine ARJ21-700 completed a round trip at 10 a.m. between airports in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province, and Guiyang, capital of neighboring Guizhou Province.

    The jet, China’s first homegrown commercial aircraft, has eight seats for first-class passengers and 70 seats for economy class. It completed a 30,000-km flight test around the world in April.

    The jet will complete 300 hours of test flights in 10 domestic airports next month to simulate long-distance, medium-distance and short-distance routes, said Zhao Peng, the chief test pilot.

    The test flights will test operations in rainy and dark conditions as well as system functions for air conditioning, auto pilot, communications, power, navigation and undercarriage, he said.

    The jet is expected to be delivered to Chengdu Airlines by the end of this year after obtaining an operation certificate from authorities. (Xinhua)