Deutsche Aircraft and Hexcel Announce Long Term Composite Partnership for the D328eco® Regional Aircraft Programme

Berlin, Germany, 12 June 2026 – Deutsche Aircraft and Hexcel today jointly announced the signing of a long‑term industrial partnership and supply agreement focused on advanced composite solutions for the D328eco, the next‑generation regional turboprop designed, certified, and industrialised in Europe.

The agreement was formalized at the ILA Berlin Air Show, at the BDLI Pavilion, emphasizing the role of ILA as Germany’s leading aerospace exhibition and a key platform for advancing Europe’s aerospace industrial ecosystem. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to long term cooperation, industrial resilience, and technological excellence anchored in Europe.

Under the agreement, Hexcel and Deutsche Aircraft will collaborate closely to integrate advanced composite solutions into the D328eco airframe. The materials are engineered to meet the programme’s stringent mechanical, weight, and environmental requirements, supporting both performance and sustainability objectives.

The composite solutions will be applied in primary and secondary aircraft structures, where weight reduction, durability, and fatigue resistance are critical. Together, they enable enhanced aircraft performance, improved fuel efficiency, and long term operational reliability.

“This partnership with Deutsche Aircraft reflects Hexcel’s long standing commitment to supporting innovative, sustainable aerospace programs in Europe,” said Lilian Braylé, President Aerospace Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa & Industrial. “By combining advanced materials technology with strong industrial collaboration, we are contributing to the development of next generation regional aircraft that address efficiency, sustainability, and long term operational needs.”

“We are proud to work alongside Deutsche Aircraft on the D328eco programme,” Braylé added, “This partnership brings together advanced composite technologies, industrial expertise, and a resilient supply chain to support an aircraft that is setting new standards for efficiency and sustainability in regional aviation.”

The D328eco represents a modernised evolution of the Dornier 328 turboprop, integrating new propulsion systems, state of the art avionics, and optimized aerostructures to reduce environmental impact and lifecycle emissions. The collaboration between Deutsche Aircraft and Hexcel supports certification compliance, industrialisation readiness, and long term maintainability, aligned with European production and supply chain requirements.

“The D328eco is a German aircraft programme built on strong industrial partnerships,” said Patricia Ferrari, Vice President Supply Chain at Deutsche Aircraft. “Working with Hexcel allows us to combine advanced materials expertise with industrial reliability, supporting our ambition to deliver a highly efficient and sustainable aircraft for regional operators worldwide.”

“Long term trust based industrial relationships are essential for the success of complex aerospace programmes,” added Nico Neumann, CEO of Deutsche Aircraft. “This partnership with Hexcel provides a strong foundation for certification, ramp up, and series production of the D328eco in Germany and across Europe.”

This joint agreement underscores the shared ambition of Deutsche Aircraft and Hexcel to strengthen European aerospace capabilities, reinforce Germany’s role as a centre of aerostructures excellence, and contribute to a more sustainable future for regional aviation through close industrial cooperation.

For media enquiries, please contact pressoffice@deutscheaircraft.com

No items found.

Building the future of flight

Deutsche Aircraft and Hexcel Announce Long Term Composite Partnership for the D328eco® Regional Aircraft Programme

June 12, 2026
Deutsche Aircraft and Hexcel Announce Long Term Composite Partnership for the D328eco® Regional Aircraft Programme

Berlin, Germany, 12 June 2026 – Deutsche Aircraft and Hexcel today jointly announced the signing of a long‑term industrial partnership and supply agreement focused on advanced composite solutions for the D328eco, the next‑generation regional turboprop designed, certified, and industrialised in Europe.

The agreement was formalized at the ILA Berlin Air Show, at the BDLI Pavilion, emphasizing the role of ILA as Germany’s leading aerospace exhibition and a key platform for advancing Europe’s aerospace industrial ecosystem. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to long term cooperation, industrial resilience, and technological excellence anchored in Europe.

Under the agreement, Hexcel and Deutsche Aircraft will collaborate closely to integrate advanced composite solutions into the D328eco airframe. The materials are engineered to meet the programme’s stringent mechanical, weight, and environmental requirements, supporting both performance and sustainability objectives.

The composite solutions will be applied in primary and secondary aircraft structures, where weight reduction, durability, and fatigue resistance are critical. Together, they enable enhanced aircraft performance, improved fuel efficiency, and long term operational reliability.

“This partnership with Deutsche Aircraft reflects Hexcel’s long standing commitment to supporting innovative, sustainable aerospace programs in Europe,” said Lilian Braylé, President Aerospace Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa & Industrial. “By combining advanced materials technology with strong industrial collaboration, we are contributing to the development of next generation regional aircraft that address efficiency, sustainability, and long term operational needs.”

“We are proud to work alongside Deutsche Aircraft on the D328eco programme,” Braylé added, “This partnership brings together advanced composite technologies, industrial expertise, and a resilient supply chain to support an aircraft that is setting new standards for efficiency and sustainability in regional aviation.”

The D328eco represents a modernised evolution of the Dornier 328 turboprop, integrating new propulsion systems, state of the art avionics, and optimized aerostructures to reduce environmental impact and lifecycle emissions. The collaboration between Deutsche Aircraft and Hexcel supports certification compliance, industrialisation readiness, and long term maintainability, aligned with European production and supply chain requirements.

“The D328eco is a German aircraft programme built on strong industrial partnerships,” said Patricia Ferrari, Vice President Supply Chain at Deutsche Aircraft. “Working with Hexcel allows us to combine advanced materials expertise with industrial reliability, supporting our ambition to deliver a highly efficient and sustainable aircraft for regional operators worldwide.”

“Long term trust based industrial relationships are essential for the success of complex aerospace programmes,” added Nico Neumann, CEO of Deutsche Aircraft. “This partnership with Hexcel provides a strong foundation for certification, ramp up, and series production of the D328eco in Germany and across Europe.”

This joint agreement underscores the shared ambition of Deutsche Aircraft and Hexcel to strengthen European aerospace capabilities, reinforce Germany’s role as a centre of aerostructures excellence, and contribute to a more sustainable future for regional aviation through close industrial cooperation.

About the data:
- Source: Cirium
- Schedules data: full year 2019 vs. 2020 – excludes non-scheduled flying
- In-service data:
- For 2019 the data is dated April while for 2020 it’s dated October. We wanted to compare “shoulder month” to shoulder month, however April 2020 wouldn’t have captured the immediate impact of Coronavirus as our dataset classes aircraft as in storage after 3 months of inactivity.

DA Aviation Ecosystem Review

We are proud to present, “Aviation Ecosystem Review 2020.”
Based on market research surrounding our vision of building a sustainable future for aviation, this report provides insight into how we see Deutsche Aircraft fitting into the everchanging aviation environment.

Download the report for free here.

Access Review

Welcome: New Leadership Onboard

Nico Neumann Deutsche Aircraft

Nico’s responsibilities as Vice President of Operations & Programs include development of aircraft production programs, maintenance, overall quality management and ensuring infrastructure and knowledge are in place to meet future needs.

Read more

As Director of Supply Chain, Maximilian’s role is to lead development and growth of all supply chain activities under a consolidated strategy.

Read more

DA Latest News in a Nutshell

New talent appointed to strengthen the Deutsche aircraft programme

As part of its continued support of Deutsche Aircraft’s D328eco aircraft programme, 328 Support Services GmbH recently appointed a panel of “talent experts” to further strengthen the overall team and ensure strong management structure and processes are in place across the D328eco development programme. Today we focus on the Engineering & Programme departments.

On the programme side, Mr. Peter Spyrka has been appointed Director of Programmes. Peter brings over 20 years’ experience in the global aerospace industry with engineering & development works on both civil and military aircraft programmes. Prior to joining Deutsche Aircraft, Peter worked at Airbus, leading the Hybrid Electric Propulsion System development programme for demonstrator projects. He also worked for Fairchild Dornier back in the late 1990’s.

In Engineering, Mr. Jean-Damien Mazeau has been appointed as our new Head of Propulsion Systems. Jean-Damien also brings more than 20 years’ aeronautical experience to Deutsche Aircraft, having built most of his career at Airbus. He was most recently involved with the A320neo’s entry into service, in charge of propulsion system’s global technical Support.

Last but not least, Dr. Stefan Brunner brings more than two decades of expertise and experience to his position as Head of Airframe. Throughout his career, Stefan spent more than 17 years working directly for the Airbus group where he was heavily involved with a wide variety of major engineering programmes on both commercial aviation and defence & space programmes. In his new role, Stefan will be responsible for design, analysis and modification of the D328eco airframe’s primary structure (Fuselage, Fairings, Wing, Empennage), as well as establishing new processes and procedures to complete aircraft development. Finally, he is responsible for ensuring compliance with the European Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulations.

In addition to Peter, Jean Damien and Stefan, we are also proud to announce that we have been busy hiring new talent from not only within Germany, but from all over the world. Coming from a variety of companies within the aerospace industry, we look forward to utilising our new team members’ skills and expertise to achieve the entry into service scheduled for 2025.

All are great assets to the current Engineering & Programme team and will, without a doubt, help support Deutsche Aircraft’s development programme over the coming years.

Deutsche Aircraft Aviation Ecosystem Review 2020 Download

Aviation Ecosystem Review 2020

Download the report for free here.

Thank you! A link to the report has been emailed to you.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form. Please try again.
Deutsche Aircraft Aviation Ecosystem Review 2020 Download

ESG in Aviation 2022

Download the report for free here.

Thank you! A link to the report has been emailed to you.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form. Please try again.