Quantcast

Chinese twin-turboprop airliners find niche markets worldwide

Spirit Airlines Explores Bankruptcy Filing
Airlines turn to AI to allocate gates and cut waiting times
American Airlines Passengers Save Woman from Alleged Violent Male Companion on Flight
Garuda Indonesia and Japan Airlines (JAL) Form Joint Business Agreement — What To Know
Here's how Southwest Airlines' new seating and boarding process will work
Delta Adds New Route to Asia
Southwest Airlines will begin selling assigned seats in 2025
United Airlines Pilot Buys Passengers Pizza In Albuquerque After Flight Was Delayed 7 Hours
Czech Airlines to Cease Operations, Ending 23-Year SkyTeam Partnership
An Asian airline hopes launching one of the world's longest narrowbody routes will actually be a comfort upgrade for passengers
Airlines begin canceling flights, offering rebooking ahead of Hurricane Helene
Southwest Airlines to cut service and staffing in Atlanta to slash costs
New heights, new features: Discover Alaska’s enhanced Flight Pass subscription service
Alaska Airlines completes acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, expanding benefits and choice for travelers
American Airlines welcomes JetSMART to the award-winning AAdvantage program
Explore Japan for free? Japan Airlines offers free domestic flights to foreign travelers
Delta named Official Airline Partner of Birmingham City Football Club
American Airlines to Cut These Routes to Las Vegas, Orlando, and More — Here's Why
Alaska Airlines completes acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, expanding benefits and choice for travelers
Southwest wouldn't really start charging for bags — right?
JD Power ranked this Midwest airport as the best among largest airports in North America
Alaska Airlines Chief Plans More Routes After a Deal With Hawaiian
Air Canada could begin suspending flights soon as strike deadline nears
JetBlue's new ticket policy entitles every passenger to a carry-on bag
Why United Airlines’ CEO makes as few decisions as possible
American invests in the future of aviation maintenance with new jobs, additional work
DOT probe seeks to determine if frequent flyer programs are fair to travelers
American Airlines flight diverted after passenger starts vaping
Russian Airline Wants $100 Million From Canada for Seizing Its Giant Cargo Plane
Here's where American Airlines is adding flights to Europe in summer 2025
Chinese twin-turboprop airliners find niche markets worldwide
Policy
Webp 9d8e4n9zvnq6npvse1f7c4oouh5n
Airbus A380 | Airbus

The Xi'an MA60 and MA600 are two twin-turboprop airliners produced by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), a state-owned aerospace and defense conglomerate. These aircraft have carved out a niche in regional and emerging markets, offering cost-effective alternatives to Western and Russian turboprops.

AVIC, founded in 1951 and headquartered in Beijing, plays a significant role in China's aviation industry. The corporation has operations in over 30 countries and encompasses numerous subsidiaries, including Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation, which manufactures the MA60 and MA600.

According to Aviation Week, these aircraft are stretched variations of the Soviet-designed Antonov An-24. This design provides excellent stability for short regional flights and operations from rough or unpaved runways. By building on this framework, Xi’an Aircraft Industrial Corporation created aircraft suited to developing aviation markets while integrating newer technology.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

The MA60 was introduced in 2000 with Sichuan Airlines as its launch customer. It is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127J engines. Over time, it has been operated by several airlines such as Lao Airlines, Nepal Airlines, Myanmar National Airlines, and Merpati Nusantara Airlines.

In 2010, AVIC launched the MA600 as an improved variant of the MA60. It offers upgrades like enhanced avionics for better flight management, improved fuel efficiency, refined cabin design for passenger comfort, and reduced maintenance costs.

Despite being niche aircraft, the MA60 and MA600 have found demand across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and even government sectors for utility roles. A notable example is the delivery of an MA600 to the Malawian government in 2022.

These Chinese-made airliners may not be widely recognized globally but continue to build a reputation as affordable options for regional carriers with AVIC's support.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

The Emirates Group recently held an exhibition titled "Tomorrow Takes Flight," showcasing its sustainability initiatives in aviation.

Jul 4, 2025

Air France-KLM has announced plans to take control of SAS Scandinavian Airlines by increasing its ownership stake to 60.5% by the end of 2026.

Jul 4, 2025

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has expressed concerns over the Global Solidarity Levy Task Force's (GSLTF) proposal to impose a premium flyer levy, citing potential negative impacts on the airline industry and broader economic...

Jul 4, 2025

American Airlines, known for its extensive network of hub airports, once operated a significant hub at St. Louis Lambert Airport (STL) in Missouri.

Jul 4, 2025

Qantas Airways has reported a cyber attack targeting one of its contact centers, leading to a potential data breach affecting up to six million customers.

Jul 4, 2025

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is experiencing a significant increase in airline travel.

Jul 4, 2025