A total of 185 orders have been received for the Xinzhou-700, a China-developed short-haul aircraft, from domestic and foreign airlines, said the manufacturer Xi'an Aircraft Industry Company (XAC) of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China at the market launch press conference held for the plane in Xi’an on Aug. 18, 2015, People’s Daily reported.

XAC said it has secured deals with 11 airlines, including Beijing-based Okay Airways, Hybrid Aviation in Pakistan and Segers Aero headquartered in South Africa.

The turboprop aircraft is a new-generation regional jet, notable for a more effective body design and its advanced technology, capable of carrying up to 70 passengers.

The jet will be delivered to the buyers in 2019 after assembly is completed in 2016 and the aircraft makes its first test flight in 2017.

XAC started developing Xinzhou-700 in 2013 with the aim of claiming a larger share of the global market.