Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation (Harbin) has signed an agreement with an undisclosed US airline for twenty Y12s. The agreement, signed at the 10th China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition being held in Zhuhai, marks the first time a Chinese-manufactured civilian aircraft is to be exported to the United States.

The turboprops will be used on short-haul passenger and cargo flights from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon as well as on sightseeing flights.

At present, the Y12 is the only Chinese civilian aircraft to have been awarded a Type Certificate by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).