TOKYO -- The archrivalry between Boeing and Airbus has entered a new battleground, with both aircraft makers making inroads into smaller passenger jets. This bodes ill for Mitsubishi Regional Jet, Japan's first regional aircraft, which plans to debut with 70- to 90-seaters in 2020.
On July 1, Airbus bought the regional jet business of Canadian peer Bombardier, which specializes in 120- to 140-seaters. Four days later, Boeing announced plans to absorb the comparable business of Brazil's Embraer, which offers 70- to 130-seaters.
