Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA) has confirmed its interest in the proposed Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) for its planned fleet expansion. “Indeed, we are considering the MRJ, but we are also looking at similar products from Bombardier and Embraer,” said a spokesman for ANA, Japan’s second-largest carrier. He said the airline was looking for an aircraft that would fill a capacity gap between its Boeing 737s, which seat 120 to 130 people, and its 74-seat Bombardier Q400 turboprops.
The largely composite MRJ would carry between 70 and 90 seats and would become the first application for Pratt & Whitney’s new fuel-efficient geared turbofan (GTF) engine. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has looked for an opportunity to develop a commercial airplane since 1973, when production ended for the YS-11–Japan’s first homebuilt aircraft after World War II. The company is seeking the cooperation of long-time partner Boeing and is considering setting up a new company to handle development, manufacturing and marketing of the aircraft.
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