ATW Daily News

Mitsubishi set to partner with Saab on MRJ customer support

Wednesday May 7, 2008

Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp. and Saab said they are working to forge a partnership agreement in which the Swedish manufacturer will provide customer and product support services for the new Mitsubishi Regional Jet.

Terms of the agreement are being hammered out by the two companies. The MRJ program formally was launched in March when ANA signed a firm order for 15 MRJ90s with options for an additional 10 (ATWOnline, March 28). First flight of the MRJ90 is scheduled for 2011 with certification and first delivery expected by 2013. The smaller MRJ70 will follow a year later.

"As a newcomer to the market, we needed someone to walk together with us to guide us through," MRJ VP-Sales and Marketing Yosuke Takigawa said at this week's Regional Airline Assn. conference in Indianapolis. The Japanese manufacturer is a new member of RAA.

"We do see this as a winning combination," Saab VP-Communications John Belanger said. Saab has developed a robust aircraft remarketing business and customer support and service program since it ended production of regional aircraft in 1999. Belanger indicated that it likely will invest in the MRJ program but declined to provide specifics.

When asked if there was any trepidation about entering an already competitive RJ market, Takigawa told ATWOnline, "If you see yourself as the fifth entrant to a market, then the answer is yes. We have to work very hard to establish ourselves and differentiate ourselves."

by Sandra Arnoult

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