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The first 'made in Japan' passenger aircraft in three decades is getting its official go-ahead, a day after major Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways placed the first orders. -- PHOTO: AP
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TOKYO - JAPAN'S Mitsubishi Heavy Industries said on Friday that it had decided to go ahead with a project to develop Japan's first passenger jet after landing its first order from All Nippon Airways.
'As Japan's first company to manufacture and market original passenger jetliners, Mitsubishi Aircraft will fulfill a long-cherished wish of the Japanese aircraft industry, leveraging technological expertise that MHI has built up through its aerospace business,' a company statement said.
The 70-90 seat plane, which could take to the skies by 2013, will use the new energy-saving 'geared turbofan' engine designed by US-based Pratt & Whitney.
The project, which enjoys state support, will compete with small aircraft produced by Canada's Bombardier and Brazil's Embraer, as well as jets designed by Russian and Chinese firms. -- AFP
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