Japan Set to Start Manufacturing Jet Aircraft

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries expects to announce this week that the company plans to move forward with its Mitsubishi Regional Jet, a 96-seat, single-aisle plane. The jet will use new engine technology and new manufacturing methods that the company hopes will allow it to leapfrog existing regional jets.  The company is reported to have lined up financial and technical support from Toyota Motor Corp, Boeing and Pratt & Whitney jet engines.

Regional jets are smaller commercial planes with a range of about 2,000 miles. In recent years, airlines around the world have rushed to purchase these smaller jets. It is not clear at this point whether Mitsubishi would next move into building larger jets. The company is reported to be firming up orders from All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines, and Vietnam Airlines.