China has delivered seven domestically manufactured MA60 feeder passenger planes to four countries in 2006, according to news from a work conference of China Aviation Industry Corporation I (CAIC I) on Monday. The four countries to which the planes have been sent are Zambia, the Republic of Congo, Laos and Zimbabwe.

CAIC I has signed contracts for 32 MA60 planes with foreign countries, and the remaining aircraft will be delivered in the next few years, said an official from CAIC I. Of these orders, 15 came from Indonesia.

CAIC I has also framed contracts with domestic carrier Aokai Airlines to sell 30 MA60 aircrafts.

Developed by the Xi'an Aircraft Industry Company XAC, a subsidiary of China Aviation Industry Corporation, the MA60 is a turboprop aircraft. It can compete with other aircraft in its class worldwide in terms of price, safety, comfort and ease of maintenance.