MITSUBISHI HEAVY Industries has confirmed that talks are under way with Bombardier on the possible development of a 100-seat airliner (Flight International, 29 May-4 June).
The Japanese company says that it hopes to develop a regional jet using the technology from the wing it is producing for Bombardier's Global Express long-range business jet.
Bombardier now admits that it is discussing possible joint projects with Mitsubishi "and other interested parties", but says that discussions are at a "preliminary stage" and that no "definitive project" is planned at the moment. "We are in discussion with a lot of people on a lot of things," the Canadian company claims.
As well as producing the wing and centre-fuselage section for the Global Express, Mitsubishi is developing the fuselage for Bombardier's de Havilland Dash 8-400 70-seat regional turboprop and is discussing taking a stake in the yet-to-be launched 70-seat stretched version of the Bombardier Canadair Regional Jet.
Boeing is reportedly considering joining Bombardier and Mitsubishi in development of a 100-seat airliner, providing a cockpit, which would be common with its next-generation 737 family.
Boeing lost to Aero International (Regional) in its bid to participate in the Chinese-led Air Express AE-100 100-seat regional-jet programme. China wants cockpit commonality with the Airbus narrow-body family.
Source: Flight International
