China-made regional jet completes first test flight

SHANGHAI, Nov 28 (Reuters) - China's first domestically developed regional aircraft, the ARJ21-700, completed its maiden test flight on Friday, the Xinhua news agency said.

The 90-seat jet, unveiled last December, landed safely at an airport in Shanghai after an hour's flight, Xinhua said on its website.

China has secured 208 orders for the jet, due to start commercial delivery within 18 months, including five firm orders from General Electric's (GE.N) aircraft leasing arm, GE Commercial Aviation Services.

Production capacity for the jets is currently at 20 units a year, Xinhua said.

China is also developing large passenger and cargo aircraft, hoping to compete eventually with Boeing (BA.N) and Airbus (EAD.PA). (Reporting by Fang Yan; Editing by Edmund Klamann)