Gregory Polek has spent his entire career in aviation journalism with AIN, starting as a proofreader and assistant to then-managing editor Mary Mahoney in 1995 after serving an internship with&nbsp;New Jersey Monthly&nbsp;magazine and completing his B.A. degree in English/Writing at New Jersey’s William Paterson College. By 1997 Polek accepted a position as an associate editor, covering the regional airline beat for&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;in place of retiring industry veteran Don Anderson. The assignment took Polek across North America and Europe to profile regional airlines varying in size and mission from the likes of floatplane operators Kenmore Air and Chalk’s Ocean Airways to regional jet operators such as SkyWest and American Eagle. Today, in his dual role as Air Transport Editor and International Airshow Editor, Polek writes, edits, and manages AIN’s commercial aviation content while overseeing each of the company’s daily international air show publications in Paris, Farnborough, Singapore, and Dubai. Most recently Polek has assumed oversight of daily coverage of the Helicopter Association International’s annual Heli-Expo convention.

Senior Editor

Gregory Polek

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries confirmed Wednesday that it has reached an “advanced” stage of negotiation with Bombardier over the potential acquisition of the CRJ program. Responding to reports first published by industry publication The Air Current that an announcement of the deal might come as soon as this month’s Paris Air Show, Mitsubishi stressed that it has not rendered a decision yet.

 


“Neither has any corporate decision been made, nor are there any prospects as to the contents of such a transaction,” it said in a written statement. “If ever any such decision is made, we will disclose as necessary in accordance with the applicable stock exchange regulations.”

 


News of the possible acquisition comes as Bombardier continues its efforts to divest completely from the commercial aircraft business. Just two days ago Viking Air parent Longview Capital said it completed the <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2019-06-03/longview-capital-resurrects-de-havilland-canada-moniker">acquisition of Bombardier’s Dash 8 aircraft business</a> and named its new subsidiary De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited. That deal followed the more celebrated sale of a controlling stake in the Bombardier C Series to Airbus last July, in which the Quebec government now shares a minority position with the Canadian manufacturer under what on June 1 became known as the Airbus Canada Limited Partnership. &nbsp;

 


Last month Bombardier said it would <a href="http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2019-05-02/bombardier-moves-consolidate-aerostructures-activities">sell its aerostructures businesse</a>s in Belfast and Morocco as part of&nbsp;consolidating&nbsp;its aerospace enterprise into a “single, streamlined and fully integrated” unit located at sites in Montreal, Mexico, and Texas. The newly created Bombardier Aviation division would encompass business aircraft and CRJ regional jets, the company said, but at the time Bombardier made no mention of any further divestment.

 


The sale of the CRJ to Mitsubishi would, in effect, consolidate the regional jet manufacturing industry into two main players: Mitsubishi Aircraft and Embraer. Of course, Embraer’s commercial business itself stands to become part of Boeing if antitrust regulators approve a deal Embraer shareholders approved in February under which Boeing would control an 80 percent share.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Mitsubishi Heavy In Talks To Buy CRJ Line

A deal to acquire Bombardier’s last commercial aircraft program would give Mitsubishi valuable engineering expertise and support capacity.  

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

PC-12 fleet logged 316,328 takeoffs in the U.S. between August 2023 and July 2024

Pilatus PC-12 Fleet Takes Top Flying Honors in U.S.

Charles Alcock

Technology is being deployed from across the European aerospace group for the program

CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL Prototype Starts Flight Testing in Germany

Hanneke Weitering

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

U.S. air ambulance operator looks to electrify its fleet

Aeromed Operator Metro Orders 20 Beta Alia 250 eVTOLs

Public flight took place on November 2 against the backdrop of Mount Fuji in Japan

Joby Demonstrates Its eVTOL Aircraft For the First Time Outside the U.S.

Matt Thurber

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Certified in 2019, the GB1 is an aerobatic airplane that is comfortable for flying longer distances

Game Composites Delivers 100th Aerobatic GameBird

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Thales joins a group of suppliers including BAE Systems, Safran, Moog, and Woodward

JetZero Picks Suppliers for Airliner's Flight Controls

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

More In Aircraft

Pilatus PC-12 Fleet Takes Top Flying Honors in U.S.

PC-12 fleet logged 316,328 takeoffs in the U.S. between August 2023 and July 2024

CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL Prototype Starts Flight Testing in Germany

Technology is being deployed from across the European aerospace group for the program

Aeromed Operator Metro Orders 20 Beta Alia 250 eVTOLs

U.S. air ambulance operator looks to electrify its fleet

Joby Demonstrates Its eVTOL Aircraft For the First Time Outside the U.S.

Public flight took place on November 2 against the backdrop of Mount Fuji in Japan

Game Composites Delivers 100th Aerobatic GameBird

Certified in 2019, the GB1 is an aerobatic airplane that is comfortable for flying longer distances

JetZero Picks Suppliers for Airliner's Flight Controls

Thales joins a group of suppliers including BAE Systems, Safran, Moog, and Woodward

SkyAlyne Contract To Deliver Airbus H135 Helos to RCAF

Contract calls for 19 helicopters, with deliveries beginning in 2026

De Havilland's DH.125—Britain’s Long-lived Bizjet

Various versions of the jet were produced for more than 50 years

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN