[photopress:air_China_commuter_plane.jpg,full,alignright]China’s self-developed commuter aircraft, the Modern Ark 60 (MA60), has received new purchasing or leasing orders of 20 aircraft to make its total orders to 116.
The China Aviation Industry Corporation I (AVIC1) said its subsidiary, Xi’an Aircraft Industry, has signed contracts with Yunnan Ying’an Airlines and AVIC1 Leasing Company for the purchase and leasing of the 20 MA60 twin turbo-prop commuters.
Of the 20 planes, ten are purchasing and leasing contracts while the other half are orders of intent. The first ten planes will start to be delivered in May 2008.
MA60 is the most successful civil aviation aircraft developed by China so far. It has a maximum take-off weight of 21,800 kg and a seating capacity of up to 60 passengers.
The XAC said the plane’s reliability, comfort, economy and maintainability reach the standards of similar advanced commuter aircraft in the world.
Source: China View