Deutsche Aircraft and INERATEC Demonstrate Fuel-to-Flight Concept at ILA Berlin

Berlin, Germany, 11 June 2026 – Deutsche Aircraft and INERATEC are advancing their collaboration to demonstrate a fully integrated fuel-to-flight solution for sustainable and resilient aviation at ILA Berlin.

At the centre of the showcase is the combination of the D328eco® and D328® Multi-Role (MR) aircraft platforms with INERATEC’s modular synthetic fuel production systems, enabling decentralised air operations in remote and infrastructure-limited environments.

The concept is presented within the framework of the EASP AIR I-COP® Mission Management system, which integrates surveillance, rescue and communication capabilities. A D328 Multi-Role Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) is on display, alongside a containerised fuel production unit, autonomous refuelling concepts and mission payload capabilities — demonstrating an autonomous operational ecosystem.

INERATEC’s Power-to-Liquid technology produces synthetic aviation fuel from CO₂ and renewable hydrogen directly at the point of use, reducing logistics and increasing operational resilience. Currently, the fuel requires blending with conventional Jet A-1 (e.g. up to 50% SAF), enabling practical deployment today while supporting the transition to higher synthetic fuel shares.

The D328eco platform, designed as a SAF-compatible next-generation aircraft, supports the increasing use of synthetic fuels and demonstrates a pathway towards lower-emission aviation and fully synthetic fuel capability.

Synthetic aviation fuels offer additional operational advantages, including significantly reduced soot and sulphur emissions, contributing to improved climate impact and air quality.

The D328 Multi-Role aircraft, configured for missions such as maritime surveillance, search and rescue, and disaster response, combines advanced sensors, deployable payloads and long-endurance performance — further strengthened by decentralized fuel availability.

Together, Deutsche Aircraft and INERATEC are shaping a scalable, integrated aviation ecosystem, linking aircraft, energy production and operations to enable sustainable, flexible and autonomous mission capability worldwide.

Wolfgang Kuhl, VP Programs and Innovation at Deutsche Aircraft, said:

“At Deutsche Aircraft, we are redefining mission readiness by integrating advanced aircraft platforms with decentralised energy solutions. This collaboration demonstrates how sustainable aviation and operational resilience can go hand-in-hand — especially in remote and demanding environments.”

Maximilian Backhaus, Chief Commercial Officer at INERATEC, added:

“INERATEC offers a solution with off-grid-capable modular production systems and climate-neutral e-fuels. Locally produced energy sources are independent, flexible and sustainable, and make our supply resilient wherever it is needed most. Together with Deutsche Aircraft, we are demonstrating how local fuel production can directly power advanced aviation missions reliably and at scale.”

For media enquiries, please contact pressoffice@deutscheaircraft.com

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Building the future of flight

Deutsche Aircraft and INERATEC Demonstrate Fuel-to-Flight Concept at ILA Berlin

June 11, 2026
Deutsche Aircraft and INERATEC Demonstrate Fuel-to-Flight Concept at ILA Berlin

Berlin, Germany, 11 June 2026 – Deutsche Aircraft and INERATEC are advancing their collaboration to demonstrate a fully integrated fuel-to-flight solution for sustainable and resilient aviation at ILA Berlin.

At the centre of the showcase is the combination of the D328eco® and D328® Multi-Role (MR) aircraft platforms with INERATEC’s modular synthetic fuel production systems, enabling decentralised air operations in remote and infrastructure-limited environments.

The concept is presented within the framework of the EASP AIR I-COP® Mission Management system, which integrates surveillance, rescue and communication capabilities. A D328 Multi-Role Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) is on display, alongside a containerised fuel production unit, autonomous refuelling concepts and mission payload capabilities — demonstrating an autonomous operational ecosystem.

INERATEC’s Power-to-Liquid technology produces synthetic aviation fuel from CO₂ and renewable hydrogen directly at the point of use, reducing logistics and increasing operational resilience. Currently, the fuel requires blending with conventional Jet A-1 (e.g. up to 50% SAF), enabling practical deployment today while supporting the transition to higher synthetic fuel shares.

The D328eco platform, designed as a SAF-compatible next-generation aircraft, supports the increasing use of synthetic fuels and demonstrates a pathway towards lower-emission aviation and fully synthetic fuel capability.

Synthetic aviation fuels offer additional operational advantages, including significantly reduced soot and sulphur emissions, contributing to improved climate impact and air quality.

The D328 Multi-Role aircraft, configured for missions such as maritime surveillance, search and rescue, and disaster response, combines advanced sensors, deployable payloads and long-endurance performance — further strengthened by decentralized fuel availability.

Together, Deutsche Aircraft and INERATEC are shaping a scalable, integrated aviation ecosystem, linking aircraft, energy production and operations to enable sustainable, flexible and autonomous mission capability worldwide.

Wolfgang Kuhl, VP Programs and Innovation at Deutsche Aircraft, said:

“At Deutsche Aircraft, we are redefining mission readiness by integrating advanced aircraft platforms with decentralised energy solutions. This collaboration demonstrates how sustainable aviation and operational resilience can go hand-in-hand — especially in remote and demanding environments.”

Maximilian Backhaus, Chief Commercial Officer at INERATEC, added:

“INERATEC offers a solution with off-grid-capable modular production systems and climate-neutral e-fuels. Locally produced energy sources are independent, flexible and sustainable, and make our supply resilient wherever it is needed most. Together with Deutsche Aircraft, we are demonstrating how local fuel production can directly power advanced aviation missions reliably and at scale.”

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.

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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.

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

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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.

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