Japan zeros in on commercial plane
TOKYO: Last week, China threw its hat into the ring when it announced it would take on Boeing and Airbus as a manufacturer of commercial airlines.
Then Russia flagged that it was time to replace its ageing Tupolevs with a commercial airliner that would gain the confidence of travellers worldwide.
Now comes news that Japan is entering the fray with a Mitsubishi Jet that could be flying as early as 2012.
Business Week reports that in the coming months, “Japan’s bureaucrats will decide whether to green-light their own national project for a 72- to 92-seat passenger jet”.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ executives say they have been signing preliminary deals with suppliers and showing blueprints of the fuel-efficient MJ—short for Mitsubishi Jet—to carriers at air shows and during office visits.
Business Week recalls that Japan’s first commercial plane venture —the 60-seat twin turboprop YS-11 in the 1960s — was a financial fiasco. That project lasted for less than a decade and resulted in heavy losses.
Mitsubishi had more success with the World War Two fighter plane, the Zero, which was used in the attack on Pearl Harbour.
This time the challenge is cost. Added to the US$1 billion development costs of a new plane, there are ongoing spares, service and sales issues.
The most likely outcome is that Japan will put its regional jet ambitions on hold and continue to let its manufacturing reputation rest with companies, like Mitsubishi, who make aircraft parts for the big manufacturers.
Ian Jarrett
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