The project for the M80 hybrid commercial aircraft, by the startup Maeve, will have significant help from MHIRJ, a company that is part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
The two companies have reached an agreement in which MHIRJ will provide engineering and consulting support in the regional market for its Dutch partner.
Based in Montreal, Canada, MHIRJ was created by Mitsubishi to provide support for the huge fleet of CRJ jets, produced by Bombardier.
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The Japanese group acquired the rights to the Canadian regional aircraft portfolio in 2020, but did not keep the assembly line in operation.
Performance close to that of a regional jet
The M80 will be a hybrid-electric aircraft with a capacity for 80 passengers and a flight range of 800 nautical miles (1,480 km).
Equipped with two engines, the Mave aircraft will fly at speeds of up to Mach 0.725 and at an altitude of 35,000 feet, a performance more similar to jets than turboprops.
“We’re teaming up with the best in regional aviation to bring an aircraft to market that meets the unique needs of regional networks around the world,” said Martin Nuesseler, Maeve’s Chief Technology Officer. “This is a pivotal moment for our industry, and we’re proud to be part of it.”
“I’m impressed by MHIRJ’s genuine passion to support innovative projects that will make a true difference for the future of regional aviation,” added Maeve’s CEO, Jan-Willem Heinen.
In addition to being more sustainable, the M80 promises a cost per seat 20% lower than turboprops of the same size.
Maeve introduced the M80 a little less than a year ago after changing its initial approach, which envisaged a battery-electric aircraft with 44 seats and a short range.
