JAPAN’S FIRST PASSENGER JET MAKES MAIDEN TEST FLIGHT

Tokyo, 30 Muharram 1437/12 November 2015 (MINA) – Japan’s first domestically produced passenger jet in half a century successfully completed its maiden flight on Wednesday, a major step toward reviving the country’s aviation industry.

The Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) took off Nagoya airport in central Japan for testing basic maneuvers, 53 years after the last Japanese-made commercial aircraft was produced.

The MRJ successfully landed following the 90-minute Tokyo, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga hailed the successful maiden flight, pledging the government’s support to help Mistubishi promote the MRJ in the overseas markets. “It opened a new era for Japanآ’s aviation industry, and we very much welcome the success of the first flight,” the top government spokesman told a press conference.

“The aircraft industry has a broad range of related businesses and it is highly valued-added. It will support Japan’s future. The government and the private sector will continue to work together towards the success of this project,” said Suga.

The 35-meter-long twin-engine MRJ, which will seat 70 to 90 passengers, is competing with small aircraft produced by Canada’s Bombardier Inc. and Brazil’s Embraer SA, as well as Russian and Chinese manufacturers.

The development of the fuel-efficient MRJ originated with a project by a unit overseen by the government, and it has been developed by Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp. since 2008. Mitsubishi has already received 407 orders for MRJs from domestic and foreign carriers, with the first delivery to Japan’s largest airline All Nippon Airways in June 2017.

Japanese companies were banned from developing aircraft by US military following the country’s defeat in World War II.

Japan last produced passenger jet, the YS-11 propeller plane, in 1962. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)