JAL to purchase 32 MRJ aircraft

Tokyo – Officials from Japan Airlines (JAL) and Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp. have signed an agreement for the purchase of 32 firm Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) aircraft. JAL and Mitsubishi Aircraft signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) on Aug. 28, 2014, and concluded this agreement on Jan. 28, 2015.

 

J-Air Corporation (J-AIR), the JAL Group’s 100% owned regional airline subsidiary, will operate the 32 MRJ aircraft.

 

“JAL will operate the MRJ as the key aircraft of its regional jet fleet, and remains committed to providing the best services to our customers by achieving steady network expansions and improving products and services quality,” said Yoshiharu Ueki, president of Japan Airlines. “As a network carrier that also operates regional jets, we are contributing to the birth of Japan’s first passenger jet.”

 

Teruaki Kawai, president of Mitsubishi Aircraft said: “The MRJ, the next-generation regional jet, drastically reduces fuel consumption, noise, and emissions, while offering top-class operational benefits for airlines, including the JAL Group. Mitsubishi Aircraft remains firmly committed to the success of the MRJ program, as well as to the growth of Japan's aviation industry.”

 

Thus far, 407 MRJ (223 firm, 160 option, 24 purchase rights) are on order, including 32 from JAL. Deliveries to JAL are scheduled to commence in 2021.

 

The MRJ family of 70- to 90-seat next-generation aircraft feature Pratt & Whitney PurePower engines.