Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ready to Meet 2020 Deadline with MRJ

The Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) is ready to deliver the first Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ), Japan's first domestically produced passenger jet in mid-2020.

Seiji Izumisawa, MHI executive said they plan to implement a mass production system for the MRJ within the next fiscal year. He said they have almost reached the summit in terms of development

The MRJ has been postponed five times because of design changes. President Hisakazu Mizutani had said the deadline 'is ultimately an integral target'. Mizutani had told a Japanese media outlet that the company has promised clients an initial delivery date in mid-2020, and will keep its word.

Reports highlight that in order to fly commercially, MRJ needs to receive type certification by that time. About 3,000 hours of flight testing is needed for approval. Mitsubishi Aircrafts says the jet has over 1500 hours in test flights conducted in the United States. However, according to Japan's transport ministry a year ago, the aircraft was not prepared for test flights for type certification or undergo review.

Sources in the company say, Mitsubishi Aircraft has received orders for 447 of the jets; 40 aircraft order is from Eastern Airlines, an American carrier.