Mitsubishi Aircraft to Continue Cooperation with Boeing

July 11, 2018

Toyoyama, Aichi Pref.- Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp. President Hisakazu Mizutani said the Japanese company will stay in a cooperative relationship with Boeing Co. despite the U.S. aircraft manufacturer's planned acquisition of a rival to Mitsubishi.

"We'll continue to receive support from Boeing," Mizutani told reporters on Tuesday, clarifying that Boeing will keep providing cooperation for his company's Mitsubishi Regional Jet, the first Japanese-developed small passenger jet.

Under an agreement with Boeing, Mitsubishi Aircraft, based in Toyoyama, Aichi Prefecture, is set to receive supplies of repair parts for the MRJ as well as assistance for the compilation of the new aircraft's flight manuals from the U.S. company.

Meanwhile, Boeing announced a decision earlier this month to acquire the small jet business of Brazilian aircraft maker Embraer SA, Mitsubishi's biggest rival.

Although there was speculation that the acquisition may shake the relationship between Mitsubishi and Boeing, Mizutani said a Boeing official told him that there will be no change in the two companies' ties.

The unit of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. has postponed the start of the delivery of the MRJ five times due to a delay in the development of the aircraft. It now aims to start the delivery around the middle of 2020. Jiji Press