Aircraft

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is displaying a full-scale mock up of the cabin of its proposed regional jet at the show, where the Japanese company is meeting prospective customers to gauge their interest in the project before making a final decision.

The prospects for the aircraft appear even brighter now as the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry plans to allocate ¥40 billion ($330 million) to the project over four years from April 2008, subject to approval from the cabinet. MHI plans to make a decision by the end of March 2008 and, under its current estimates, the aircraft would enter into service in 2012 after a ¥120 billion development programme.

Dubbed the Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ), MHI hopes that the 70- to 90-seat aircraft would be able to challenge the duopoly of Bombardier and Embraer in the segment. MHI, which produces composite parts for the Boeing 787, plans to use composite materials "on a significant scale" for its aircraft and so reduce its weight substantially. It is also in talks with Rolls-Royce, General Electric and Pratt & Whitney on a partner for engines, and is likely to pick one of the three by the end of this year. Overall, MHI plans for the aircraft to be up to 20% more fuel efficient than competing jets.

"The MRJ is being designed to substantially reduce fuel consumption and greatly contribute to enhanced competitiveness and lower operating costs for the airline companies," says MHI. "By incorporating today's most advanced design methods, elemental technologies, materials and processing methods, the MRJ will also provide outstanding cabin comfort while reducing environmental burdens."

The full-scale mock-up has a single-aisle four-abreast seating configuration and large overhead bins with enough room to stow large-size roller bags. There is also a 1/20th-scale model of the aircraft on display.

MHI says that numerous challenges remain before it makes a decision on the project. These include the actual development, verification and confirmation of the technologies, securing the necessary development funds, coming up with a sales strategy and financing to prospective customers, and establishing sales and customer support structures.