Deutsche Aircraft breaks ground at Leipzig/Halle Airport for the Final Assembly Line of the world’s most modern and sustainable turboprop: the new D328eco™

Leipzig, 16 May 2023 – Today, the management team of Deutsche Aircraft and stakeholders and representatives from Leipzig/Halle Airport, the German government and the Free State of Saxony met for the ground-breaking ceremony of the aircraft assembly line for the new 40-seat turboprop aircraft, the D328eco.

“At Deutsche Aircraft, we take great pride in the construction of our state-of-the-art and climate-friendly final assembly line,” says Nico Neumann (COO, Deutsche Aircraft). The assembly line will be built and operated in compliance with the best industry practices and sustainability principles.

“This is a key milestone in our D328eco programme and we are pleased to take this step following our programme objectives,” adds Dave Jackson (CEO, Deutsche Aircraft).

The German government has acknowledged the significant role of Deutsche Aircraft in the aviation industry. “For the German government, Deutsche Aircraft is a strategic partner for the sustainable development of the aviation industry. The D328eco is an important industrial policy project for the German government,” says Dr. Anna Christmann (Federal Government Coordinator of German Aerospace). “The planned use of 100% SAF in the D328eco as a market-ready option is a key milestone for the aviation industry worldwide. In the coalition agreement, we set ourselves the goal of making Germany a pioneer in climate-neutral aviation.”

The strategic orientation of Deutsche Aircraft and Leipzig/Halle Airport with the support of the Free State of Saxony makes Leipzig an attractive location for the assembly line. The region has an excellent infrastructure, sufficient space and a qualified workforce. In addition, Saxony has a long tradition of aircraft construction, which Deutsche Aircraft can now build on.

Michael Kretschmer (Prime Minister of the Free State of Saxony) remarks that “The establishment of Deutsche Aircraft at Leipzig Airport is a great success and underscores Saxony’s attractiveness as a business location. For the first time since reunification, a final assembly line for aircraft construction is being built in the new federal states. As an aircraft manufacturer, Deutsche Aircraft will strengthen the aerospace industry in Saxony and complement the excellent research facilities, supplier companies and maintenance and conversion experts in the Free State. Up to 350 new jobs will be created at Leipzig Airport with state-of-the-art and, more importantly, climate-friendly production conditions.”

The assembly line will be built on approximately 62,000 square meters and will have a production capacity for forty-eight D328eco aircraft per year. In addition to the production hall, a hangar will be built for aircraft delivery, along with a logistics centre and an administration building with parking spaces.

According to Götz Ahmelmann (CEO of Mitteldeutsche Flughafen AG) “Deutsche Aircraft’s new assembly line at Leipzig/Halle Airport will make our airport one of the beacons of sustainable aviation. The D328eco sets the standard in terms of climate-friendly production and environmentally friendly flying."

“The assembly line is designed to be completely CO2-neutral,” explains Sebastian Böhnl (Director of Infrastructure and Digitalization, Deutsche Aircraft) as he outlines the energy concept for the whole production facility. “We will produce around 750 kW of solar power with a photovoltaic system on the roof. From the use of heat pumps, the optional expansion with energy storage, green spaces on the roof and the wood-concrete hybrid construction, to electric charging stations for cars and bicycles, this innovative investment is well-integrated into a sustainable production ecosystem.”

From left to right - Nico Neumann(COO Managing Director DA) , Sebastian Böhnl (Director of Infrastructure & Digitalisation DA), Anastasija Visnakova (Vice President Sales/Marketing DA), Götz Ahmelmann (CEO Mitteldeutsche Flughafen AG-Leipzig/Halle Airport), Katrin Lässig (Senior Vice President bei Mitteldeutsche Airport Holding), Dave Jackson (CEO DA ) ,Michael Kretschmer (Minister President of the Free State of Saxony), Daniel Riedel (Ministerial Council Department of Aviation in the Industrial Policy Division of the Federal Ministry for Economics and Climate Action)

 

Background information German Aircraft Final Assembly Line

 

100% climate-friendly

CO2-neutral energy concept – use of renewable energy

Solar power through photovoltaics on the roof (750 kW/p.a.)

Use of efficient heat pumps

Energy storage can be optionally integrated: smart grid batteries or hydrogen fuel cell

Green deck on all buildings

Wood-concrete hybrid construction for administration building

Electric charging stations for cars and bicycles using energy from PV

 

100% digital

Paperless production throughout all processes

Automated and driverless transport systems

Automated parts and tool storage

3D model-supported production with the possibility of AR (augmented reality)

 

100% modern + lean

Newly designed, efficient manufacturing tools (e.g. for the fuselage)

Use of energy-efficient battery tools

Optimal process flows (digitally designed and supported)

Production line tailored to D328eco

New generation integral factory planning

Glass factory with the possibility for customers to visit the production line

Expansion options planned for the site

 

Key specifications

62,000 sqm site (about twice the area of the Lincoln MemorialReflecting Pool)

Final Assembly Line (FAL) and Flight Readiness Hangar (FR)

Logistics Centre (LSC) and Administration Building

Production capacity for forty-eight D328eco aircraft per year

250–350 new employees

Investment: >100 million EUR

For media enquiries, please contact pressoffice@deutscheaircraft.com

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Building the future of flight

Deutsche Aircraft breaks ground at Leipzig/Halle Airport for the Final Assembly Line of the world’s most modern and sustainable turboprop: the new D328eco™

May 16, 2023
Deutsche Aircraft breaks ground at Leipzig/Halle Airport for the Final Assembly Line of the world’s most modern and sustainable turboprop: the new D328eco™

Leipzig, 16 May 2023 – Today, the management team of Deutsche Aircraft and stakeholders and representatives from Leipzig/Halle Airport, the German government and the Free State of Saxony met for the ground-breaking ceremony of the aircraft assembly line for the new 40-seat turboprop aircraft, the D328eco.

“At Deutsche Aircraft, we take great pride in the construction of our state-of-the-art and climate-friendly final assembly line,” says Nico Neumann (COO, Deutsche Aircraft). The assembly line will be built and operated in compliance with the best industry practices and sustainability principles.

“This is a key milestone in our D328eco programme and we are pleased to take this step following our programme objectives,” adds Dave Jackson (CEO, Deutsche Aircraft).

The German government has acknowledged the significant role of Deutsche Aircraft in the aviation industry. “For the German government, Deutsche Aircraft is a strategic partner for the sustainable development of the aviation industry. The D328eco is an important industrial policy project for the German government,” says Dr. Anna Christmann (Federal Government Coordinator of German Aerospace). “The planned use of 100% SAF in the D328eco as a market-ready option is a key milestone for the aviation industry worldwide. In the coalition agreement, we set ourselves the goal of making Germany a pioneer in climate-neutral aviation.”

The strategic orientation of Deutsche Aircraft and Leipzig/Halle Airport with the support of the Free State of Saxony makes Leipzig an attractive location for the assembly line. The region has an excellent infrastructure, sufficient space and a qualified workforce. In addition, Saxony has a long tradition of aircraft construction, which Deutsche Aircraft can now build on.

Michael Kretschmer (Prime Minister of the Free State of Saxony) remarks that “The establishment of Deutsche Aircraft at Leipzig Airport is a great success and underscores Saxony’s attractiveness as a business location. For the first time since reunification, a final assembly line for aircraft construction is being built in the new federal states. As an aircraft manufacturer, Deutsche Aircraft will strengthen the aerospace industry in Saxony and complement the excellent research facilities, supplier companies and maintenance and conversion experts in the Free State. Up to 350 new jobs will be created at Leipzig Airport with state-of-the-art and, more importantly, climate-friendly production conditions.”

The assembly line will be built on approximately 62,000 square meters and will have a production capacity for forty-eight D328eco aircraft per year. In addition to the production hall, a hangar will be built for aircraft delivery, along with a logistics centre and an administration building with parking spaces.

According to Götz Ahmelmann (CEO of Mitteldeutsche Flughafen AG) “Deutsche Aircraft’s new assembly line at Leipzig/Halle Airport will make our airport one of the beacons of sustainable aviation. The D328eco sets the standard in terms of climate-friendly production and environmentally friendly flying."

“The assembly line is designed to be completely CO2-neutral,” explains Sebastian Böhnl (Director of Infrastructure and Digitalization, Deutsche Aircraft) as he outlines the energy concept for the whole production facility. “We will produce around 750 kW of solar power with a photovoltaic system on the roof. From the use of heat pumps, the optional expansion with energy storage, green spaces on the roof and the wood-concrete hybrid construction, to electric charging stations for cars and bicycles, this innovative investment is well-integrated into a sustainable production ecosystem.”

From left to right - Nico Neumann(COO Managing Director DA) , Sebastian Böhnl (Director of Infrastructure & Digitalisation DA), Anastasija Visnakova (Vice President Sales/Marketing DA), Götz Ahmelmann (CEO Mitteldeutsche Flughafen AG-Leipzig/Halle Airport), Katrin Lässig (Senior Vice President bei Mitteldeutsche Airport Holding), Dave Jackson (CEO DA ) ,Michael Kretschmer (Minister President of the Free State of Saxony), Daniel Riedel (Ministerial Council Department of Aviation in the Industrial Policy Division of the Federal Ministry for Economics and Climate Action)

 

Background information German Aircraft Final Assembly Line

 

100% climate-friendly

CO2-neutral energy concept – use of renewable energy

Solar power through photovoltaics on the roof (750 kW/p.a.)

Use of efficient heat pumps

Energy storage can be optionally integrated: smart grid batteries or hydrogen fuel cell

Green deck on all buildings

Wood-concrete hybrid construction for administration building

Electric charging stations for cars and bicycles using energy from PV

 

100% digital

Paperless production throughout all processes

Automated and driverless transport systems

Automated parts and tool storage

3D model-supported production with the possibility of AR (augmented reality)

 

100% modern + lean

Newly designed, efficient manufacturing tools (e.g. for the fuselage)

Use of energy-efficient battery tools

Optimal process flows (digitally designed and supported)

Production line tailored to D328eco

New generation integral factory planning

Glass factory with the possibility for customers to visit the production line

Expansion options planned for the site

 

Key specifications

62,000 sqm site (about twice the area of the Lincoln MemorialReflecting Pool)

Final Assembly Line (FAL) and Flight Readiness Hangar (FR)

Logistics Centre (LSC) and Administration Building

Production capacity for forty-eight D328eco aircraft per year

250–350 new employees

Investment: >100 million EUR

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.

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