Japan has celebrated an important milestone with the successful maiden flight of its first domestically produced commercial jetliner for 50 years.
The Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) completed a one-hour test flight in Nagoya, and despite years of delays, has secured firm orders for more than 200 planes.
The company, which is majority owned by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, is targeting to sell about 2,000 planes to airlines around the world.
Mitsubishi claims the MRJ is about 20% more fuel efficient than comparable regional jets sold by the likes of Bombardier of Canada and Brazil’s Embraer.
Carriers which have confirmed orders include Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines and Skywest for jets seating up to 90 passengers at list prices approaching $50 million.
Deliveries of the first MRJ jets are scheduled for mid-2017.
