Now that Mitsubishi has demonstrated that the plane can fly, airlines “that have taken a wait-and-see approach can negotiate acquisition of the aircraft with increased confidence”, said Rob Morris, head of consultancy at Ascend Flightglobal in London.
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Mitsubishi has touted the aircraft as offering greater fuel efficiency and comfort than existing regional jets. But in building the 70- to 90-seat Mitsubishi regional jet a large share of the components came from leading foreign suppliers.
Japan doesn’t have a track record for manufacturing aeroplanes – but now its first ever domestic passenger jet has finally taken its maiden test flight.
Those Japanese companies build 35 percent of Boeing’s advanced 787 carbon-composite jetliner, including the wings, the most complex part.
Flight crew members form a circle before the Mitsubishi Regional Jet’s maiden test flight. Domestically, Mitsubishi Aircraft has won orders from Japan Airlines Co.in addition to ANA, Japan’s largest airline. Other shareholders include Toyota Motor Corp. and the Development Bank of Japan. So far the MRJ has secured 223 firm orders from airline operators, most recently in January, when Japan Airlines ordered 32 planes. The initial flight lasted approximately 1.5 hours in which the aircraft’s basic characteristics and functionality tests were carried out over Japan’s Pacific Coast.
Japanese government Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters: “The success of this first flight marks the beginning of a new era for the Japanese aviation industry and we are very pleased”.
This isn’t so much a limitation for the jet but an optimisation for the needs of the Japan and continental U.S. regional markets, and in many parts of Asia, for which it could become a serious contender should Mitsubishi provide the spare parts and operational backups that Airbus and Boeing and Embraer offer their customers. “We’re studying the demand but haven’t made a decision yet”, he said.
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Chieko Tsuneoka contributed to this article.
