A new Chinese developed turbo-prop passenger aircraft successfully performed its first test flight with passengers Chinese media reported last week.
Xinzhou-600 turbo-prop
The test flight of the Xinzhou-600 aircraft, carrying journalists and businessmen, lasted for approximately 10 minutes over the Tianjin International Airport.
Chinese media reported that the flight marked the end of the monopolization of China’s civil aviation market by foreign developed aircraft.
The new aircraft can carry a maximum of 52 or 60 passengers, depending on its configuration, and has a maximum range of 1,600 kilometers. The aircraft is intended for domestic flight use.
Xinzhou-60 aircraft are expected to enter the market in 2009. Contracts for the acquisition of 30 aircraft, as well as 10 leasing contracts, have already been signed.
Source: Interfax