By The Financial District
Mar 301 min
Japan is looking to launch a next-generation passenger aircraft by around 2035, in another attempt following the failure of a project led by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. to develop the country's first domestically manufactured passenger jet, sources familiar with the matter said, Kyodo News reported.
The development of the SpaceJet, formerly known as the Mitsubishi Regional Jet, began in 2008 in cooperation with the industry ministry. I Photo: Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation
The industry ministry and the private sector will work together to develop the new airliner, which could be powered by hydrogen to meet the growing demand for decarbonization, the sources said.
A panel set up by the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry is expected to approve the plan for the new aircraft soon.
Mitsubishi Heavy pulled the plug on the previous project to roll out Japan's first homegrown passenger jet, called SpaceJet, last year, citing a lack of know-how and mounting costs.
The development of the SpaceJet, formerly known as the Mitsubishi Regional Jet, began in 2008 in cooperation with the industry ministry, with its first delivery initially slated for 2013, Mainichi Shimbun also reported.