Japanese plane delay

Mitsubishi Aircraft will push back the initial deliveries of its regional jet to mid-2017 due to problems with procuring engines, the Nikkei business daily reported on Thursday.  This follows similar setbacks by rival Chinese and Russian projects. (See BTN 19 August)

The Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ), Japan's first commercial aircraft in half a century, was set to start deliveries to customers in 2015.

The Nikkei said the company was facing delays in engine deliveries from Pratt & Whitney.  A Mitsubishi Aircraft spokesman declined to comment.

Mitsubishi Aircraft already has 165 firm orders for the MRJ.  The company has pushed back the jet's test flight and delivery schedule twice so far.

The aircraft, which has 70-90 seats, has a list price of US$42m.  It aims to compete with jets made by Embraer and Bombardier.  The first delivery of the jet, developed at a cost of US$1.9bn, will go to Japanese airline ANA. www.mrj-japan.com

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