April 15, 2008 -- China's regional jet, the ARJ21-700, won't make its maiden flight until September or October due to delays in the supply of key parts that are up to par with the manufacturer's quality standards,state-owned Xinhua newswire has reported.

"We are making efforts to ensure the key parts, including the flight control system, can be delivered in time so that our customers won't be affected," a spokesman for AVIC I Commercial Aircraft Co. Ltd. said, according to Xinhua.

The ARJ21, the first regional jet fully developed by China, was initially planned for its test flight last month, the report said. The model has been approved by the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China, Federal Aviation Administration and the Joint Aviation Authorities. However, its manufacturer must still hurdle over 170 tests to have the ARJ21 certified for airworthiness.

According to Xinhua, AVIC is eyeing initial deliveries to customers by the third quarter of 2009, when the ARJ21 manufacturer expects to have acquired all the required certification.

AVIC has recently signed a memorandum of understanding with GE Capital Aviation Services for the delivery of five ARJ21-700 jets at a later date, Xinhua said.