Explore the journey of the COMAC ARJ21, also known as the Xiangfeng ("Soaring Phoenix"), China's ambitious regional jet designed to compete in the global civil aviation market. Developed by COMAC in the mid-2010s, this video dives deep into the aircraft's key features, its long and challenging development process, and the role it plays in China's aviation strategy.
The ARJ21's development began in 2002, but it faced significant delays, with its first flight only taking place in 2008. It wasn't until 2016 that it started joining airline fleets. Despite these early setbacks, the aircraft is now actively produced and delivered to both Chinese and international airlines. Its appeal? Simplicity and affordability, making it especially attractive to airlines in developing countries.