Japan's first passenger jet takes off in maiden test flight
The plane marks a new chapter for Japan's aviation sector, which last built a commercial airliner in 1962
Ground staff prepare to see off Japan's first domestically produced passenger jet, the Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ), prior to its maiden test flight at Nagoya airport, Aichi prefecture on November 11, 2015. Japan's first domestic passenger jet successfully took off on its maiden test flight November 11, culminating a decade of development for a programme aimed at competing with Brazilian and Canadian rivals in the global market for smaller aircraft. PHOTO: AFP
NAGOYA:
Japan's first domestic passenger jet successfully took off on its maiden test flight Wednesday, culminating a decade of development for a programme aimed at competing with Brazilian and Canadian rivals in the global market for smaller aircraft.
The Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ), developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, lifted off from the runway at Nagoya airport.
Fast and free wifi quest puts airlines in uncharted territory
The approximately 35-metre long two-engine aircraft flew smoothly upward into clear skies in central Japan, said AFP journalists at the scene.
The plane marks a new chapter for Japan's aviation sector, which last built a commercial airliner in 1962, the YS-11 turboprop that was discontinued about a decade later.
China completes production of own passenger plane
The MRJ will seat about 80 passengers and is seen competing with other regional passenger jet manufacturers such as Brazil's Embraer and Canada's Bombardier.
Firms in Japan were banned from developing aircraft by US occupiers following its defeat in World War II.
Mitsubishi Heavy, a military contractor, built Japan's legendary "Zero" World War II fighter jet.
Airblue to add four Airbus 321s to fleet
The developer boasts that the MRJ, a fuel-efficient, next-generation aircraft, will offer more passenger comfort with lower operating costs, eyeing the booming regional jet sector.
Japan's first domestic passenger jet successfully took off on its maiden test flight Wednesday, culminating a decade of development for a programme aimed at competing with Brazilian and Canadian rivals in the global market for smaller aircraft.
The Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ), developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, lifted off from the runway at Nagoya airport.
Fast and free wifi quest puts airlines in uncharted territory
The approximately 35-metre long two-engine aircraft flew smoothly upward into clear skies in central Japan, said AFP journalists at the scene.
The plane marks a new chapter for Japan's aviation sector, which last built a commercial airliner in 1962, the YS-11 turboprop that was discontinued about a decade later.
China completes production of own passenger plane
The MRJ will seat about 80 passengers and is seen competing with other regional passenger jet manufacturers such as Brazil's Embraer and Canada's Bombardier.
Firms in Japan were banned from developing aircraft by US occupiers following its defeat in World War II.
Mitsubishi Heavy, a military contractor, built Japan's legendary "Zero" World War II fighter jet.
Airblue to add four Airbus 321s to fleet
The developer boasts that the MRJ, a fuel-efficient, next-generation aircraft, will offer more passenger comfort with lower operating costs, eyeing the booming regional jet sector.