Japan’s first jet to meet 2018 delivery, Mitsubishi says

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries said it’s sticking to the schedule of handing over its first plane in 2018 after issues with the jet’s air conditioning ventilator this weekend grounded the plane from further test flights. Mitsubishi is working with United Technologies, which makes the aircraft’s air conditioning, to fix the problem, a Mitsubishi spokesman said. ANA Holdings is the launch customer for the Mitsubishi Regional Jet, also known as the MRJ. After 2 aborted test flights in as many days following the faulty air-conditioning system, Japan’s first locally built passenger jet was sent back to the hangar for checks and fixes, the latest blow to a key aircraft-building program plagued by delays in its delivery schedule. "We are sure that we can still deliver the plane on time in 2018," Mitsubishi said. <br/>