China's three main state-owned carriers - Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines - have each taken delivery of their first ARJ21-700s following a handover ceremony on June 27. The trio each have thirty-five ARJ21s on order from COMAC.
According to the Chinese manufacturer, Air China accepted B-605U (msn 138) for eventual operation through its Beijing Airlines (BJN, Beijing Capital) subsidiary, China Eastern took B-123A (msn 140) for operation through its OTT Airlines (JF, Shanghai Hongqiao) subsidiary, and China Southern accepted B-605W (msn 139) for eventual use by its Xiongan Airlines (CXN, Beijing Daxing International) subsidiary. Another China Southern Air Holding subsidiary, Jiangxi Airlines (RY, Nanchang International), already has two ARJ21s in service.
Schedule data shows China Southern expects its branded ARJ21s to enter service on July 15 with daily return flights between Guangzhou and Shantou.
COMAC said all three airlines are due to take delivery of three ARJ21s this year, all of which will feature 90-seat configurations.
According to the ch-aviation fleets module, COMAC has also delivered ARJ21s to Chengdu Airlines, Genghis Khan Airlines, and China Flight General Aviation Company.
