This order is in addition to another for 20 from Comsys (Tianjin) International Leasing Co. COMAC has a total of 278 orders for the ARJ21-700.
The order from Congo is a bit amusing. The country has a spotty airline history. Accidents and civil war are two big business interrupters. The most viable airline in the country is ECAir, which is actually an operation run by Swiss-based PrivatAir. This means the airline does not fall under the EU banned airlines list. ECAir is 70% state owned. We anticipate the ARJs will find a home at ECAir.
At Zuhai a Congolese government functionary said :”We are very glad to cooperate with COMAC and become the first African country to purchase the ARJ21-700 aircraft. We look forward to the delivery and operation of the three aircraft at an early date.” No firm delivery date came with the MoU announcement. It may be a while before the aircraft flies in African service.