Mitsubishi in advanced negotiations to acquire Bombardier’s CRJ program

The culmination of Bombardier's exit from commercial aviation and another tectonic industry shift.

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Release Date
June 4, 2019
Mitsubishi in advanced negotiations to acquire Bombardier's CRJ program

 

UPDATE: Bombardier in a statement Wednesday morning confirmed reporting by The Air Current that it is talks with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to acquire the CRJ program.

Bombardier statement on TAC reporting

Bombardier has recently stated it would explore strategic options for the CRJ Program. From time to time, this may lead to discussions with potential counterparties. While Bombardier does not generally comment publicly on market speculation or rumors, in light of recent media reports, Bombardier believes it is prudent to advise stakeholders that it is in discussions with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. with respect to its CRJ Program. We will not further comment on the nature of the discussions. Before any agreement can be reached further review and analysis by Bombardier management and approval by Bombardier's Board of Directors are required, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. must complete its due diligence review and own analysis and approval process, which are outside of Bombardier's control. There can be no assurance that any such discussions will ultimately lead to an agreement.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is in advanced discussions with Bombardier to acquire the CRJ aircraft program, part of a wide-ranging reinvention of the Japanese industrial conglomerate’s development of its own regional jet, according to several people familiar with the on-going negotiations.

Bombardier had been negotiating with other potential suitors to divest the CRJ, but is now deep into exclusive negotiations with Mitsubishi, two of the people said. An announcement, if the deal is finalized, the people added, could come as early as the Paris Air Show which begins officially on June 17. The people also caution that a final deal may not materialize.

The deal would mark another in a series of tectonic industry shifts and the culmination of Bombardier’s exit from commercial aviation. Divesting the CRJ program to Mitsubishi would be the end of an era for Bombardier’s aerospace history that first began in 1986 when it acquired Canadair. The Canadair Regional Jet was born from the CL-600 business jet and entered service with Lufthansa’s regional arm in October 1992.

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