Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Pratt & Whitney have launched the MRJ regional jet and its GTF geared turbofan engine, marking a renewed Japanese attempt to break into commercial aircraft and the arrival of a potentially revolutionary engine. First delivery is planned in 2013, as previously stated by All Nippon when it ordered the 90-seat MRJ90 version of the aircraft, although the airline thinks it might get its first unit in early 2014. A shorter version with about 70 seats, the MRJ70, is also offered.

China’s Avic 1 ARJ21 regional jet has joined the crowd of delayed commercial aircraft projects, with its first flight deferred from this month, the scheduled period, to September. Supplier delays are to blame, the company says, without naming the responsible companies.

Qantas is increasing services to Western Australian mining towns enjoying the global minerals boom led by the surging Chinese economy. The airline will add five weekly services from Perth, the state capital, to Port Hedland, an important center for the iron ore industry, plus three to Broome and two to Newman. Boeing 737s will replace 717s on services to Karratha and Kalgoorlie, the latter a key gold mining town. The state of Western Australia is about four times as big as Texas.