ZHUHAI: The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) yesterday signed a 5-billion-yuan contract to sell 25 ARJ21-700 regional jets to GE Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS), marking what is considered to be a major breakthrough in the overseas sales of the country's first homegrown jet.

The delivery will start in 2013 and the 70-90 seat feeder jet will have its maiden flight in mid-November, said Zhang Qingwei, board chairman of COMAC.

Zhang said the regional jet is expected to receive certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration in 2010. The company will use four planes for test flights before commercial service begins.