Canada-based Bombardier completion specialist Flying Colours’ joint venture with China’s Sparkle Roll Technik Co. (SRT) to work together on VIP conversions of CRJ-200 regional airliners is progressing well, the companies announced this week in Shanghai at ABACE 2015. Six months into the program, three of the eight B-registered CRJs are at Flying Colours’ facility and the work schedule is “well underway,” said Flying Colours.

The three aircraft are being reconfigured from regional jet layout to a mixed-class shuttle format with three separate cabin areas. Their aft sections have a 20-seat economy section, while the middle features four business-class seats in two double-club layout and the front cabin has a three-seat divan and a double-club configuration. A galley will also be installed.

According to the companies, the configuration of the remaining five CRJs has yet to be finalized. However, it is anticipated that some will be based on Flying Colours’ CRJ ExecLiner conversions, incorporating an in-flight entertainment system and a supplemental auxiliary fuel system, mirroring that of a Bombardier Challenger 850.

The first of the aircraft are due to be redelivered to SRT in July, with one being completed every month until February. Plans call for the later conversions to have the interior components manufactured in North America, while SRT technicians will complete the final installation in China.