The Mitsubishi MRJ – Regional Jet – Programme took another boost with a confirmation of an order from Japan Airlines for 32 of the type.
Mitsubishi MRJ for J-Air – Image, Japan Airlines
The order which started from a letter of intent from late August last year converts that intent into a firm order for the type.
The MRJs will be operated by Japan Airlines regional subsidiary J-Air who currently operate a fleet of 9 Bombardier CRJ-200s and 15 Embraer E-170 E-Jets.
Japan Airlines are happy with the order, with Japan Airlines president Yoshiharu Ueki stating:
“JAL will operate the MRJ as the key aircraft of its regional jet fleet, and remains committed to providing the best services to our customers by achieving steady network expansions and improving products and services quality”
Japan Airlines has not stated which variant of the MRJ it will be getting – with the airline going for a varient of the MRJ-70 or MRJ-90.
Deliveries of the aircraft will begin to JAL will begin in 2021. All Nippon Airlines will be the first airline to get the MRJ into their fleet with deliveries due to commence in 2017.
Mitsubishi has been slowly working away at its MRJ orders with 407 possible aircraft so far, split by:
- 223 Firm Orders
- 160 Options
- 24 Purchase rights
It still has a fight on its hands in the larger regional jet market, as it goes toe to toe with Embraer and Bombardier – however, a win in its home country is never a bad thing.
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