An ambitious project to develop Japan's first jet airliner moved closer to take-off Thursday as All Nippon Airways ordered up to 25 of the fuel-efficient mid-sized planes. Japan's second-largest airline said it had placed a firm order worth about 600 million dollars for 15 Mitsubishi Regional Jets (MRJs), with an option for a further 10. It expects to take delivery of the aircraft after 2013. Japan Airlines, Asia's largest carrier, said it was also studying whether to buy the plane. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. is expected to announce in the next few days a decision on whether to push ahead toward a commercial launch of the jet, which it says would be the most quiet, light and fuel-efficient model in its class. “Together with Mitsubishi Heavy, we, as a launch customer, want to ensure the plane sells well globally,” ANA senior vice president Akira Okada told a news conference. If the airline replaced the Boeing 737-500s that it uses on some domestic routes with the MRJ, its annual profits would rise by about 5.0 billion yen ($50 million), Okada said. Fuel consumption would be cut by 40 percent, he said, because the Boeings “are a bit too large for some domestic flights.” The Mitsubishi jet project, which enjoys state support, would compete with small aircraft produced by Canada's Bombardier and Brazil's Embraer, as well as jets designed by Russian and Chinese firms. The market for small jets is promising, especially in Asia, given expectations for increasing economic growth and flow of people. __
