Mitsubishi is seriously considering taking the CRJ back into production, insiders report to the generally well-established Leeham News. There would be a demand from the United States for this plane for use on the domestic market.

Mitsubishi took over the CRJ series from the ailing Bombardier two years ago, with the idea of focusing on after-market service (including maintenance and supply of parts). At the time, it was already known that production would end shortly afterwards.

At the time, the Japanese aircraft manufacturer was still working on the introduction of its own regional aircraft, the SpaceJet, but due to many setbacks, Mitsubishi decided to put development on the back burner. It is now expected that this aircraft will never be developed.

As a result, Mitsubishi has started to consider taking the CRJ back into production, especially now that American Skywest Airlines has indicated, according to insiders, that it would like to buy new CRJ550s. That is a generously configured CRJ700 with room for about 50 passengers.

Although the airplane already has a fairly old design, the CRJ550 is still interesting for the American market, because it fits within the so-called Scope Clauses. These are agreements with the unions that allow much cheaper pilots to be deployed on regional flights than mainline.

What also helps is that there is little competition. Embraer offers the new E2 series, but even the smallest variant (the 175-E2) does not meet the Scope Clauses, making that type uninteresting for regional American airlines. The previous generation of E-jets also has fairly old technology.

If Mitsubishi starts production of the CRJ again, it will have to build a new factory, because the old production facilities in Mirabel, Canada, have since been transferred to Airbus for the A220 line (also acquired from Bombardier).

But there would be plenty of room for a new factory in Mirabel, Leeham said, and it would still be cheaper to build than to continue developing the SpaceJet. Mitsubishi can also receive support from the Canadian government.

Although Mitsubishi is not yet considering providing the CRJ with new, more fuel-efficient engines, that could be an option in the long term. For now, the plans are about a reintroduction of the model as we already know it. Insiders emphasize that no decision has been made yet.

--- DB4 - Jul 12 2021
* Origin: AVIATION ECHO HQ (2:292/854)