The Modern Ark MA600 aircraft has received a type certificate from the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, paving the way for the delivery and operations of the China-made turboprop in Ghana.

On Feb. 25, Simon Allotey, head of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, signed on the type certificate of the MA600 in Accra, the capital of Ghana. It is the turboprop's first type certificate issued by an overseas country.

The MA600 is an improved version of the MA60 manufactured by AVIC Xi'an Aircraft Industry Corporation. XAC rolled out its first MA600 turboprop in June 2008. The MA600 made its maiden flight in September 2008.

Ghana's SmileAir has ordered 68 MA600s and -700s for delivery between 2016 and 2021.