China Unveils New Turboprop Regional Aircraft

29 June 2008

Xinhua. China Aviation Industry Group Corporation, newly formed by the combination of China Aviation Industry Corporation I (AVIC I) and China Aviation Industry Corporation II (AVIC II), introduced the first China-made turboprop regional aircraft, the MA600.

The 60-seat MA600 is 300 kilograms lighter than the older MA60. The turboprop is 40% more fuel efficient than turbofan-powered aircraft, said company president Meng Xiangkai.

Research and development of the 70-seat MA700 is also underway. China is striving for a larger market share in regional aircraft comparable to Canada’s Bombardier and France’s ATR.

The MA600 will make its maiden flight in September. Mass production is scheduled for 2009. The China Aerospace Industry Research Center forecast 5,300 to 5,500 regional aircraft would be needed in the next 20 years, of which 1,900 would be turboprop aircraft.

Nearly half of the regional jets flying in Europe and North America are turbo-propelled. The demand for the relatively environment-friendly aircraft is expected to rise with global oil prices.

Regional aircraft account for just 12 percent of China’s aircraft, and many large jets are flying regional routes, causing a waste of resources. Experts say turbo propelled regional aircraft are the most economical and energy-efficient on short and medium range flights, laying the market foundation for the MA series.