The Xinzhou-600, developed by Xi'an Aircraft International Corporation (XAIC) of the China Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC), had its first trial flight in October 2008 in Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi Province, said the AVIC.
The turboprop aircraft was an upgraded version of the Xinzhou-60 that can carry 50 to 60 passengers. The Xinzhou-600 had been updated with a more comfortable cabin and better designed body structure, said Jiang Jianjun, General Manager of XAIC.
The Xinzhou-600 was designed for a maximum 2,450-kilometres flying distance, and was capable of inter-island flights, official Xinhua news agency quoted Jiang as saying.
The company so far has received more than 10 orders for the Xinzhou-600, Jiang said, adding that two orders had been placed by the Laos government.