Third MRJ takes flight; ANA warned on further technical delay

Mitsubishi Aircraft has confirmed it is in talks with launch customer All Nippon Airways (ANA) over a further technical delay, although it insists no decision has been made. On Oct. 3, Mitsubishi issued a statement rejecting reports the Regional Jet (MRJ) program has been delayed again. However, on Oct. 5 an MRJ spokeswoman said: “It is true that we have spoken to them [launch customer All Nippon Airways (ANA)] of a risk of delay due to technical reason.” She repeated the earlier position that no decision has been made to change the delivery schedule. In December 2015, Mitsubishi announced the first delivery to ANA was delayed to mid-2018. ANA has 15 aircraft on order and 10 options. The first delivery was originally scheduled for the first quarter of 2014. The MRJ90 performed its first flight in November 2015 and was joined by FTA-2 in May. In a newsletter issued Oct. 5, Mitsubishi revealed its third test aircraft (JA24MJ) performed its first flight Sept. 25.<br/>