NAGOYA, Japan, September 26, 2014 – Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation (“Mitsubishi Aircraft”) announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement with Eastern Air Lines Group, Inc. (“Eastern”) for the purchase of twenty firm MRJ90 aircraft with purchase rights to an additional twenty MRJ90 aircraft.
Mitsubishi Aircraft and Eastern signed an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) in England at the Farnborough International Airshow in July, 2014. Both companies have moved forward to conclude a definitive agreement on September 22, 2014. Deliveries are scheduled to commence in 2019.
Edward J. Wegel, Eastern Air Lines Group President and CEO said, “We are honored to partner with Mitsubishi Aircraft on this next generation regional aircraft which will deliver best in class operating economics, customer comfort and baggage capabilities. This aircraft will proudly join Eastern’s fleet starting in 2019 and will be christened the Eastern Whisperjet.”
“We are pleased that we concluded this definitive agreement with Eastern Air Lines, and look forward to a long-term mutually successful business relationship with Mr. Wegel and his experienced team” said Teruaki Kawai, President and COO, Mitsubishi Aircraft. The MRJ program has been making steady progress, and its state-of-the-art aerodynamic design and a game-changing engine will significantly cut fuel consumption, noise and emissions, helping airlines enhance competiveness and profitability in the future. We expect that the economics, comfort, and other advanced features of the MRJ, the next generation regional jet, will contribute significantly to the growth of Eastern Air Lines.”
Thus far, 335 MRJ (171 firm, 160 option, 4 purchase rights) are on order, including 25 (15 firm, 10 option) from All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd., 100 (50 firm, 50 option) from Trans States Holdings, Inc., 200 (100 firm, 100 option) from SkyWest, Inc., 10 (6 firm, 4 purchase rights) from Air Mandalay Limited. This order brings the current number of orders for the MRJ to 375 aircraft (191 firm, 160 option, 24 purchase rights). In addition, Mitsubishi Aircraft signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. (JAL) to order 32 MRJ aircraft.
Mitsubishi Aircraft remains firmly committed to further MRJ sales as well as the success of the MRJ program.
