Aernnova will supply the empennage for Deutsche Aircraft’s D328eco regional airliner. The partnership was announced on June 19 at the Paris Air Show.
According to the German airframer, it has now selected all the primary structures suppliers for series production of the 40-seater modernization of the former Dornier 328 design. Spain-based Aernnova will provide build-to-print assemblies for the D328eco, including the composite empennage and a metallic tail cone.
Earlier this week, Deutsche Aircraft announced that the D328eco’s flight deck will be based on Garmin’s G5000 Prime avionics suite. This is the first application for the dual-core processor system, which is Garmin’s first for transport-category Part 25 aircraft, and it has already been installed on a simulator for the new aircraft.
Pratt & Whitney Canada is providing a customized version of its PW127XT—S turboprop engines. In late 2024, the companies completed a flight test campaign with the powerplant using the D328 UpLift technology demonstrator. Deutsche Aircraft is aiming to start flight testing with its recently rolled out first prototype aircraft in 2026 as it targets type certification in the fourth quarter of 2027.
The engines are intended to be compatible with a 100% blend of sustainable aviation fuel, when this is available for airlines. The manufacturer said the new 40-seat aircraft will be 15% more fuel efficient than its predecessor.
From July 1, Nico Neumann will serve as co-CEO of Deutsche Aircraft alongside Dave Jackson who currently leads the company. Neumann will run the group’s operations in Munich and Leipzig, while Jackson reverts to being CEO of its parent company.