In 2008, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries announced its intention to enter the aerospace industry. Through Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation (MAC), a subsidiary created with an initial investment of 100 billion yen (more than 14 billion pesos). The objective was to develop the Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ), an aircraft that promised to revolutionize the market. Toyota was also involved in the project, with a 10% share.
Mitsubishi also had the support of the Japanese government, which was interested in producing its own aircraft to reduce the costs of its airlines. The country also had previous experience in the industry with the NAMC YS-11, a turboprop aircraft that operated locally between 1962 and 1974. MRJ was a more ambitious venture: a modern, efficient and safe jet that would compete at an international level. However, things did not turn out as expected.
The story of a failure
When Mitsubishi presented the project with two prototypes powered by Pratt & Whitney engines, they promised that the aircraft would be ready in 2012. However, the first model was not unveiled until 2014. This would not be the only delay, as after the MRJ completed its first flight in November 2015, the company announced that the first deliveries would arrive in 2017. However, an analysis of the flight changed plans.
The main reason was that engineers found critical faults: if the engine failed or a pipe broke, the electrical system could collapse and cause a fire. This called into question the promise of a safe and reliable aircraft and delivery dates were pushed back to 2018 and then to 2019.
During that time, aviation regulations in the United States changed, forcing Mitsubishi to rethink various aspects of the aircraft. In the midst of the pause, the company renamed the project Spacejet and purchased the CRJ program from Bombardier to save time and money to adapt to the new regulations.
By 2019 there was still no sign of the 450 orders they had promised. A year later the COVID-19 pandemic arrived and with it the final nail in the coffin of the project. Finally, Mitsubishi decided to cancel the project, which had already consumed more than $8 billion. This saved another 900 million committed to new development phases, but Japan missed its opportunity to position itself as a global commercial aircraft manufacturer.
A market with no room for newcomers
The truth is that if promoting a car brand is complicated, manufacturing airplanes is something completely different. This market is controlled by giants like Airbus and Boeing. Everything related to commercial aviation involves high costs and rigorous regulations. In addition, there is the reluctance of airlines to trust new models which, if they fail, can have serious consequences, both economic and human.
All this makes it difficult for a new brand to carve out a niche in the industry. It is no coincidence that among the main countries aspiring to compete with Airbus and Boeing are China, Brazil and Russia, with companies such as COMAC, Ebraer and UAC, respectively.
These countries are seeking to advance on the geopolitical map. For them, having their own airline will allow them to position themselves in a new market and expand their area of influence. In the case of China, this would serve to save costs for its own airlines and advance in the industry.
