Aircraft

China wants to build 30-seat turboprops and has started talking to Ukrainian aircraft company Antonov about helping to develop these new aircraft.

Antonov deputy general designer Oleksandr Kiva says China Aviation Industry Corporation wants to build 30- to 35-seat multipurpose aircraft that can be used by government agencies and commercial airlines. Antonov has at the air show had "a few meetings with the new AVIC" to discuss this topic, says Kiva.

He says there will be more meetings and Antonov will later announce the results of these meetings. He adds that Antonov wants to be involved in more than just development of these aircraft but also the production process.

Antonov has a long relationship with AVIC companies. It helped design Xian Aircraft's 50-seat turboprop that is now called the MA60. It also designed the wing of China's 90-seat ARJ21 regional jet.