Chinese plane manufacturer COMAC delivered China's first home-developed jet to domestic carrier Chengdu Airlines Sunday, marking a big breakthrough in the country's aviation industry.

Photo taken on November 29, 2015 shows ARJ 21, China's first indigenously designed regional jet. [Photo: Chinanews.com]

China's first domestically designed regional jet, the ARJ21-700, arrived at the Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport on a bright sunny Sunday.

The jet is produced by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China. First proposed in 2008, Chengdu Airlines has become the first to receive the plane seven years later.

"The whole flight from Shanghai to Chengdu was smooth, and we hope that in accordance with the schedule, the jet will start taking passengers as soon as possible," said Zhang Fang, vice general manager of Chengdu Airlines.

The ARJ-21, short for Advanced Regional Jet for the 21st century, has five seats per row. The jet was approved by both the Civil Aviation Administration of China and US Federal Aviation Agency.

There are 78 seats in a dual-class configuration and 90 seats in a full economy class configuration. The CAAC says the jet will conduct no-load demonstration operations for the next three months, and then later make passenger flights.

The ARJ21-700 jet made its first test flight in November 2008. Since then, the plane has completed more than 5,000 hours of test flights. By the end of 2012, 300 ground examinations and more than 1,000 hours of test flights had been carried out.

"The jet is very appropriate for southwestern China, it will also benefit the country's Belt and Road policies and large scale development of southwestern China. In the future, we are planning to open the Southeast Asia service," said Zhuang Haogang, board chairman of Chengdu Airlines.

Experts at Chengdu Airlines operation hall say the jet's biggest feature is that its engine is installed at the back of the plane, which means less noise at the front cabin.

"This aircraft is made in accordance with the international standard of designing and manufacturing. It's safety, comfort, stability, are at a similar level with other planes in the world," said Sui Mingguagn, vice chairman of Chengdu Airlines.

In terms of regional jets, China is currently using the imported Brazil ERJ series and Bombardier CRJ series airplanes. The ARJ 21-700 is the first Chinese jet to enter the domestic market and offers a similar or better level of quality as its competitors for a lower price.

"As the ARJ brand gains more reputation in the market, Chengdu Airlines will also benefit from it, and vice versa, the value of the Chengdu Airlines brand will continue to grow," said Wang Lingyun, vice general manager of Chengdu Airlines.

Chengdu Airlines has opened more than 60 domestic routes nationwide. The ARJ21-700 will be flown between a number of major cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu.

China's appetite for flying continues to grow. Its 21 largest airports saw annual throughput exceed 10 million passengers in 2014. Experts say the ARJ21 marks just the beginning of what is set to be a bright future for the Chinese aviation industry.