Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has decided to launch the Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) programme and is establishing a new company to spearhead it.

“Based on positive responses from potential customers including an order from All Nippon Airways (ANA)…MHI has now decided to formally launch the MRJ programme targeting the aircraft’s entry into service in 2013”, MHI says in a statement.

It also says it has established a new wholly-owned subsidiary in Nagoya, tentatively called Mitsubishi Aircraft, that will oversee the programme.

This new company will officially start on 1 April and its president will be Nobuo Toda, who is currently director and senior VP at MHI, it adds.

Yesterday ANA announced that it has decided to order 15 MRJ90s with options for 10 more.

The MRJ90 is a 90-seat regional jet and MHI also plans to build the 70-seat MRJ70.

Source: Flight International

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