Three years after signing a memorandum of understandingwith Saab for product support, Mitsubishi has yet to confirm the deal, and has removed Saab from its Mitsubishi MRJ regional jet marketing materials.
Company vice-president of marketing and sales Yosuke Takigawa said at the show that Saab's name was removed after customers became concerned Saab would be solely responsible for product support of the aircraft.
Takigawa explained that Saab is not the only candidate to supply customer support services and said "it depends on the customer".
Despite an order drought after All Nippon Airways ordered 15 MRJ 90s and took 10 options in March 2008, Takigawa insisted that "we're actively engaged with customers right now", and the company is confident it can sell the aircraft.
One potential buyer is International Lease Finance, as Takigawa said that chief executive Steven Udvar-Hazy sees "the benefit we can offer". But as the market competition intensifies Hazy still tries to "get everything he can from us", Takigawa added.
Customers have access to export credit agency support for the MRJ, which costs $40 million at list prices.
No changes have been made to the aircraft's development schedule as flight-testing gets under way in 2011 to support a 2013 entry into service. Mitsubishi estimates a development cost of $1.5 billion up to certification.
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Source: Flight Daily News
