Mitsubishi Heavy to halt SpaceJet mass production and halve staff

Exclusive: Program workforce to be reassigned as global aircraft demand slumps

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The development of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' SpaceJet commercial airliner has been plagued by years of delays. (Photo courtesy of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries)

Nikkei staff writers

TOKYO -- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will sharply scale down its long-troubled SpaceJet program as it faces a global drop in demand for the planned Japanese-made regional jet amid the coronavirus pandemic, Nikkei has learned.

Subsidiary Mitsubishi Aircraft will halt plans for mass production of the 90-seat plane owing partly to delays in parts deliveries, according to an internal notice sent to staff.

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