Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation has introduced the Mitsubishi SpaceJet family of aircraft, including the SpaceJet M90 – previously known as the MRJ90 – as well as the new SpaceJet M100.
The company say the aircraft family is designed to “address demand in the underserved regional jet market” while delivering comfort for passengers and an aircraft performance “with more profit potential for airlines.”
As well as rebranding the MRJ90 as the SpaceJet M90, the company have also announced the SpaceJet M100, which has evolved from a concept study for the – now retired – MRJ70 designation. Mitsubishi Aircraft claims the jet “features the widest and tallest cabin in its class” as well as overhead bin capacity for a roller bag per passenger, which the company says will eliminate the need for gate check. The company are debuting the SpaceJet M100 cabin interior at the Paris Airshow with a formal launch of the programme expected later this year.
Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation argue the SpaceJet M100 is “perfectly matched” to the United States, optimised to be scope clause compliant in the 65-76 seat, three-class cabin configuration. It can also be configured for other global market needs up to 88 seats single class. The jet leverages SpaceJet M90’s clean-sheet design to offer emissions and noise reduction and exceeds all the latest ICAO environmental standards.
“The Mitsubishi SpaceJet family represents our plan to redefine the business of regional air travel. This is a commercial segment where we see great opportunity,” said Hisakazu Mizutani, president, Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation. “As we prepare for entry-into-service for the SpaceJet M90, we are also announcing the SpaceJet M100 – the result of our research and development during the past few years and the answer to the regional market’s current and future needs.”
The company aims to deliver the SpaceJet M90 in 2020, and in preparation for this, the company said it has matured its commercial aircraft capabilities, working closely with governmental partners to establish a certification system for Japan and has begun type certification flight testing in Moses Lake, Washington, US, with the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
On 10 May the company also opened a new US headquarters in Renton, Washington.
“The regional market is an attractive one, full of untapped growth potential,” said Alex Bellamy, chief development officer, Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation. “Millions of people around the world rely on regional air travel to get to where they need to go. There is no reason that their experience as passengers should not be as good as or better than on a mainline flight.”
He added that the SpaceJet family provides the “missing link in a curb-to-curb experience for the next generation of travellers” while bringing a “higher level of value” to the market segment.
