[5] Okay Airways and Joy Air were announced as launch customers for the aircraft and to be involved with its development, which had been due to make its maiden flight in November 2019.

[6][7] By late 2017 there were 185 orders for the 86-seat aircraft with purchase agreements with 11 customers including Joy Air, Okay Airways and Cambodia Bayon Airlines.

In January 2018, AVIC said structural and strength tests allowed to release wing flaps and forward fuselage technical specifications.

[2] While detailed design was to be completed by April 2018, the program slipped three years since its launch at the end of 2013, and Avic has not yet built a reputation for dependable products.

[5] In July, Avic selected Rockwell Collins, Thales, Meggitt and Parker Hannifin as suppliers at the Farnborough Airshow.

By then, the CAAC had completed its review of the structure digital model, as the first prototype's fin, doors, undercarriage and nacelles were to begin construction.

[16] Discussions on using domestic Chinese engines for MA700 manifest[17][18][19] after Canadian government’s refusal to issue export licence for the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW150C powerplant according to an article published in aviation media Flightglobal.

[20] The Canadian engine manufacturer has confirmed that the export licence, for which it had applied in 2018, was denied in 2020[21] which reflects the poor overall relationship between Beijing and Ottawa[20] at that time.

The MA700 is conventional configuration, with a straight, tapered wing mounted high on the mid-fuselage, two tractor engines and a T-tail.

Powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PW150C turboprops, the fly-by-wire aircraft will seat up to 86 passengers, will have a maximum take-off weight of 26.5 t (58,000 lb) and a range of up to 2,700 km (1,500 nmi).