Nagoya, October 18, 2014 –
Today Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) and Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation held a rollout ceremony for the MRJ (Mitsubishi Regional Jet), a next-generation regional jet, at the Komaki Minami Plant of MHI’s Nagoya Aerospace Systems Works in Aichi Prefecture. After unveiling Japan’s first jet aircraft, MHI and Mitsubishi Aircraft are now ready to proceed toward the MRJ’s first flight scheduled for the April-June quarter of 2015.

The rollout ceremony was attended by numerous distinguished guests, including Akihiro Nishimura, State Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT); Hideki Niwa, State Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT); Atsuo Kuroda, Director-General, Manufacturing Industries Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and Shinichiro Ito, President and CEO of ANA Holdings Inc., the launch customer. From MHI and Mitsubishi Aircraft, respectively, chairman Hideaki Omiya and president and COO Teruaki Kawai, as well as executives of the two companies, were present.

In welcoming his guests Mr. Omiya spoke of his pride on the momentous occasion. “A product ‘Made in Japan’ – a product offering the highest levels of both operating economy and cabin comfort – is at long last about to leave the realm of dreams and become a reality,” he said. “It’s with utmost confidence and pride that we will soon be sending the MRJ out into the world.”

Going forward MHI and Mitsubishi Aircraft will continue to dedicate their full efforts to ensuring the success of the MRJ project while at the same time playing a core role in the development of the aviation industry. The two companies presently look for the MRJ’s first flight to take place in 2015 and for first delivery in 2017.