Commercial Aircraft Corp of China (COMAC) delivered China's first home-developed regional passenger jet ARJ21 to domestic carrier Chengdu Airlines (EU) on November 29, 2015, marking a big breakthrough in the country's aviation industry.

The ARJ21-700, Registration B-3321, took off from Shanghai at 10:35 a.m. and arrived at the Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU) at about 1:00 p.m. on a bright, sunny Sunday. The aircraft was welcomed with a traditional water cannon salute at the airport.

COMAC and Chengdu Airlines, the launch customer of the ARJ21, held a welcoming ceremony at Chengdu airport. Miao Wei, minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Li Jian, deputy head of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), Jin Zhuanglong, chairman and CPC secretary of COMAC, and thousands of guests and media participated in the ceremony.

The ARJ21, dubbed the "Flying Phoenix," will enter service after three months of trial operations. "The aircraft will be officially put into commercial service in the first quarter next year and will initially operate domestic routes from Chengdu to seven popular destination including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Wuhan," said He Peiwen, deputy general manager of Chengdu Airlines.

The ARJ21, short for Advanced Regional Jet for the 21st century, can carry between 78 and 90 passengers for more than 2,200 kilometers, according to COMAC, which described the delivery as a "major breakthrough" for China's aviation industry.

Chengdu Airlines, which currently operates narrow-body Airbus A320s, has ordered 30 ARJ21-700 regional jets. The regional carrier will take delivery of five ARJ21-700s by the end of this year, including two 90-seat aircraft and three 78-seat ones. All 30 ARJ21s for delivery will be completed within next five to six years.

"The ARJ21-700 delivered today features an all-economy cabin configuration and seats up to 90 passengers," the executive added.

To date, COMAC has received a total of 315 orders for the type from 19 customers at home and abroad.