Now named the SpaceJet the aircraft is proposed to come in two versions, the existing M90 and a new smaller M100 version with 76 seats especially intended to attract orders in the US regional jet market.
Despite numerous delays in the programme Mitsubishi says the jet is now entering the market at exactly the right time, with a need to find new more fuel efficient regional aircraft that also offer passengers a better passenger experience with more space for the seating and increased luggage bins in the cabin.
At the launch of the newly revamped Japanese programme the company asserted that the new M100 would offer no compromise for passengers when it came to comfort. The new more fuel efficient aircraft was ideally placed to take up capacity in the regional jet market with a pledge there would be “no third seat” in the single aisle SpaceJet. The company said the new aircraft was ideally suited to counter the problems caused by more regional routes being introduced by airlines and the shortage of pilots in the regional jet market by offering the optimum number of seats.
The range of the SpaceJets is also intended to work ideally for the US, European and South American domestic markets.