ARJ21 jet tests flights for certification

China's domestically made regional jet has completed test flights in frozen weather in North America and flew over several countries in Europe and Asia ahead of its commercial flight next year, the aircraft maker said yesterday.

The ARJ21-700 flew more than 2,000 kilometers in test flights over North America in frozen temperature in March, the Commercial Aircraft Corp of China said in a statement.

The twin-engine, 90-seat aircraft then flew over Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Asia back to its home airport in Shaanxi Province.

"The regional jet has flown a total of 30,000 kilometers over 18 airports in 10 countries, flying through various bad weather conditions including snowstorm and strong wind," the company said.

The test flights are among more than 1,000 procedures that both the ARJ21 and the single-aisle C919, another domestically designed and built plane, have to pass to gain their Type Certification from the Shanghai Aircraft Airworthiness Certification Center.

Aviation officials are seeking a similar certification from the United States Federal Aviation Administration.