With the Shanghai Y-10, China hoped to show the world how it could build a modern four-jet airliner as the 1980s dawned. Instead, despite the help of Western technology, only one example ever flew — and it was already out-of-date
China’s aviation industry has developed significantly in recent years, in terms of both quality and quantity. Th e Comac C919, a twin-engined narrow-body designed to compete with the Boeing 737, has 305 firm orders and is set to enter service with China Eastern Airlines in 2021. Th e same maker’s ARJ21 regional jet has been serving Chengdu Airlines well since 2016. Th e Xi’an Aircraft Industrial Corporation has marketed turboprop airliners successfully since the turn of the millennium, with 110 MA60s having been delivered, and more than 600 MA60s and MA600s ordered.
