An exaggerated headline? We shall see. But today's news that US regional carrier Trans-States Airlines has ordered 50 Mitsubishi Regional Jets with 50 options is hugely important. Finally the quadopoly (can't be right, but I'm not sure what the right word is) of Boeing, Airbus, Embraer and Bombardier is over.
Put simply, this is the first solid order by a mainstream carrier for
any of the emerging breed of new airliners from China, Russia and
Japan. The early orders for Sukhoi's Superjet from airlines like
Armavia and Malev are frankly flaky and backed by smoke-and-mirrors
finance and politics; and China's ARJ-21 has yet to make any meaningful
impact outside its home country.
But Trans-States is a serious player. flying 3.5 million passengers in 2008 for USAirways, United and American. There's no information on the financing, but unless shown otherwise it has to be assumed that this is a straightforward commercial deal.
It also comes on top of a smaller order from All Nippon Airways which, even though obviously a soft target in Mitsubishi's backyard, is nevertheless not something that will have been entered into lightly.
And finally, this is a deal that will see Pratt & Whitney's geared turbofan in service in the USA - actually the first US airline order for any aircraft type with a next generation engine.
Disagree? Feel free to comment.
But Trans-States is a serious player. flying 3.5 million passengers in 2008 for USAirways, United and American. There's no information on the financing, but unless shown otherwise it has to be assumed that this is a straightforward commercial deal.
It also comes on top of a smaller order from All Nippon Airways which, even though obviously a soft target in Mitsubishi's backyard, is nevertheless not something that will have been entered into lightly.
And finally, this is a deal that will see Pratt & Whitney's geared turbofan in service in the USA - actually the first US airline order for any aircraft type with a next generation engine.
Disagree? Feel free to comment.
on October 5, 2009 7:22 PM | Reply
I'd like to offer a correction to your report. It was actually Trans States Holdings that signed the LOI...Trans States Holdings owns Trans States Airlines and GoJet Airlines.
Thanks!
on September 22, 2010 1:23 PM | Reply
I dont think that this is the first solid order by a mainstream carrier for any of the emerging breed of new airliners from China, Russia and Japan.