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Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) officially launched the Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ), a next-generation regional jetliner, on March 28 with a single customer - ANA, although reports indicate customers could include Japan Airlines and even Vietnam Airlines in exchange for some participation in the aircraft program. Production is set to start in 2009 with first flight in 2011.
At the same time, All Nippon Airlines announced the acquisition of 15 aircraft and options for 10 more while Pratt & Whitney announced the launch of its Geared Turbo Fan program to exclusively power the new jet. Service entry is set for 2013 with All Nippon. Production is set to start in 2009 with first flight in 2011.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Japan Airlines sees it as a nationally significant project which would "contribute greatly to the development of Japan's aviation industry." Vietnam may take up to 20 aircraft, said the newspaper, which added that Vietnam wants to produce as much as 30 percent of the jet. The newspaper also cited a previous agreement with Pratt, calling for at least three customers, including at least one from outside Japan, before it will go beyond the $1 billion invested in the past 20 years which promises to yield a 12 percent improvement in fuel burn. Even so, Pratt issued a press release indicated the ANA order also launched its geared turbofan program. The MRJ launch was precipitated by a government-imposed deadline of March 31 for its first order, said the Journal.
The newspaper also reported that the manufacturer is in discussions with International Lease Finance which helped launch Airbus when it ordered numerous jets and peppered them around the industry through leases. ILFC could order up to 100 jets. In a recent interview, ILFC founder and chief executive Steven Udvar-Hazy told the Journal the new jet was a "promising project" adding his company has been looking at the regional jet market very closely.
New Company Created
Beginning April 1, the tentatively named Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation (MAC), a new company established by MHI to conduct MRJ business, will accelerate the MRJ's development and further strengthen sales activities to potential customers worldwide. MHI expects the new engine technology provided by Pratt & Whitney's Geared Turbofan as well...