Beijing turns up heat on domestic airlines to buy China-made jets

China’s govt is increasing the pressure on domestic airlines to use more jets developed and manufactured in the country, a push that could present a big challenge to Boeing and Airbus. China’s 3 leading airlines recently placed sizeable orders for domestically made regional jets. One airline is also setting up a company to operate a fleet of domestic jetliners. Beijing envisions a future in which Chinese airlines are less dependent on Boeing and Airbus and in which made-in-China aircraft find overseas customers. In February, a senior civil aviation official announced the launch of a govt-backed plan to promote the use of domestically made jetliners; the 3 big carriers’ recent ARJ21 orders are early signs of its effectiveness. <br/>