MHI denies reports of SpaceJet development freeze

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has denied reports that it will freeze development of the Mitsubishi Aircraft SpaceJet, but is looking at “possibilities” for the regional jet programme. “MHI is continuing a detailed review of the schedule of the SpaceJet program, in view of the impact of COVID-19, and is moving forward with development with an appropriate budget that takes into consideration the challenging financial headwinds facing MHI Group,” says MHI. “It is true that we are considering various possibilities, but there is no truth to reports that we have decided to freeze development.” MHI also confirmed that MHI’s next mid-term business plan, which also covers the SpaceJet programme, will be announced on 30 October alongside the company’s second quarter financial results. MHI issued the statement in response to Japanese media reports, quoting sources within MHI, that the programme will be radically scaled back, effectively freezing it amid the global aviation slowdown. Flight testing is on hold, but Mitsubishi Aircraft says “our teams are focused on validation and reviewing the flight test data we have from over 3900 flight hours.”<br/>