China’s Xi’an Aircraft Company (XAC) landed the largest-ever order from a Chinese airline for its MA60 regional turboprop last month. Privately held Okay Airways said it has agreed to lease 10 of the 60-seat turboprops, the first of which it plans to deploy by the end of the year. It expects to take delivery of the rest within two years, it added.
Okay Airways signed a letter of intent last October that called for the delivery of 30 MA60s, but until last month distribution remained limited to a handful of customers, primarily in Africa. Although not considered a serious competitor for Western customers, the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127-powered turboprop threatens to absorb at least part of a Chinese market that would otherwise go to ATR and Bombardier.    –G.P.