Mitsubishi has officially discontinued its SpaceJet regional airliner series. The Japanese manufacturer had hoped to produce twin-engine regional jets similar to Embraer but it never reached commercial production. With just eight prototypes (seven MRJ90s and one MRJ70) being built till October 2020 before the initial pause, it is now terminated.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), the parent arm of Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation (MAC), unveiled this concept in 2007, however even though the 16-year SpaceJet story has ended, it will not have material impact on MHI's financial results, both consolidated and non-consolidated, the company confirmed in a statement.
Despite the SpaceJet venture having ended unsuccessfully, MHI hopes that it will leave a lasting legacy in the world of Japanese commercial aviation.
MHI further added: “MHI leverage the knowledge and experience acquired through SpaceJet program to continue contributing to Japanese aviation industry, which aspires to return OEM aircraft manufacture to the country."
Citing reasons of technological failure due to requiring revisions as a result of its prolonged development, as well as decarbonisation solutions, MHI highlighted a lack of understanding and cooperation from its global partners.
MHI also pointed out that current pilot shortage across the aviation industry led to uncertainty of the SpaceJet's business viability. The aircraft didn't meet the needs of the North American regional market and without additional funding, the continued development of the SpaceJet program would not have been economically feasible, said the company.
Going ahead, MHI hopes to use its work on the SpaceJet program as a basis for expanding its partnerships with other global OEMs.