AVIC I Commercial Aircraft (ACAC) has secured a landmark first export deal for the ARJ21 regional jet from Lao Airlines for two aircraft.

The agreement is the first commitment for the 90-seater from a non-Chinese airline, and comes as completion of the first ARJ21 nears at the final assembly plant in Shanghai.

The Laos government has signed a memorandum of understanding for two ARJ21-700s, with delivery to state-run Lao Airlines tentatively set for 2010. The national carrier has also ordered two more Chinese-built Xian Aircraft MA60 turboprops, which will increase its MA60 fleet to four.

Lao Airlines' deputy commercial director Noudeng Chanthaphasouk confirms that the ARJ21 MoU was signed last month, but a firm contract has not yet been agreed. Lao Airlines now operates only turboprops - two ATR 72-200s and two MA60s - and Chanthaphasouk expects delivery of the ARJ21s "maybe in 2010".

The all-new, General Electric CF34-10A-powered ARJ21-700 is due to begin flight testing in March 2008, with certification planned for September 2009 ahead of first deliveries to launch customer Shandong Airlines.

Chanthaphasouk says the airline plans to operate the ARJ21-700 from Vientiane to Bangkok and is considering using the aircraft's range to launch a service from Vientiane to Guangzhou in southern China.

The carrier will add the third MA60 "at the end of October", with the fourth following in "April 2008", says Chanthaphasouk. The carrier plans to use the additional aircraft to increase services on existing routes and next year launch a service from Vientiane to Luang Namtha in northern Laos and a service to Jinghong in China, says Chanthaphasouk.

Source: www.flightglobal.com