Japan gets go-ahead for first passenger jet

Japan has launched a $1 billion (£500 million) project to build its first ever home-grown passenger jet aircraft, a next-generation regional airliner that aims to meet growing demand for fuel efficient planes.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd (MHI) said it had decided to proceed with the commercial development of the plane after landing its first order from Nippon Airlines for up to 25 aircraft.

The 70-90 seat plane will use the new energy-saving ‘geared turbofan‘ engine designed by US giant Pratt & Whitney. Mitsubishi said it plans to get the first planes into service by 2013.

The Mitsubishi Regional Jet will target the short and medium-haul market for smaller aircraft dominated by Brazil’s Embraer and Canada’s Bombardier.

China and Russia are also working on the development of similar new regional jets, which is one of the fastest growing sectors of the aircraft industry.

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