JAL to order up to 59 regional jets

[TOKYO] Japan Airlines (JAL) on Thursday said it will order up to 59 regional jets from a unit of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Brazilian plane-maker Embraer, as it looks to retire some of its gas-guzzling domestic fleet.

The former flag carrier announced plans to buy up to 32 of the country's first domestically produced jet airplane, while it will order as many as 27 jets from Embraer.

The airline did not release financial details, but Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) earlier said the 32-plane order would total about US$1.5 billion at list prices. Airlines usually get a discount from such prices on large purchases.