Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation (Nagoya Chubu) is looking to ensure the success of its M90 Regional Jet initiative through the establishment of a new carrier that would operate flights for and on behalf of major local carriers and businesses.

The Nikkei Asian Review states Mitsubishi Corp. and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries have opened talks with Japan Tourism Marketing, the Development Bank of Japan, and scholars from the University of Tokyo to develop a proposal that would then be presented to JAL - Japan Airlines (JL, Tokyo Haneda) and ANA - All Nippon Airways (NH, Tokyo Haneda).

"The planned venture would operate short-distance flights for JAL and ANA. It will also encourage regional companies, financial institutions and governments to create new businesses focused on ticket sales, with the new carrier operating the flights," the report added.

In order to move the project forward, Mitsubishi and other committee members will lobby Tokyo to amend existing legislation forbidding the sale of tickets and operation of flights by separate entities.

Parties involved have reportedly set a 2017 launch date for the venture, which will coincide with the first commercial delivery of the MRJ90. Thereafter, with a fleet of 100 aircraft, the venture is expected to generate in the region of JPY100billion (USD951million) in annual sales.