Lin Zouming, president of AVIC 1
About half of the equipment on the ARJ21, the first regional jet made by government-run AVIC I, is made by U.S. companies. The 90-seat aircraft represents China’s latest bid to eventually challenge Boeing and Airbus in the market for bigger planes. A twice-delayed maiden flight is now scheduled for September 21.
While this is going on the China aviation industry is consolidating with China Aviation Industry Corporations I and II, the country’s two leading state-owned aviation manufacturers (better known as AVICI and AVIC II) before the end of the year. That’s according to the president of AVIC I, Lin Zuoming, so you can take it as being fairly official.
The merger of AVIC I and AVIC II has been delayed several times.
The new company is likely to be called China Aviation Industry Group Corporation according to Lin Zuoming and he said the new company could be officially launched this year.
He said, ‘It’s hard to say when the company will start operations, but I think it could take place this year.’
He said that in addition to its dealings in the aviation industry, the new corporation will also develop an automobile business.
Source: CCTV.Com