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 40 seat turboprop D328eco.

“At Deutsche Aircraft, we take great pride in the construction of our climate-friendly final assembly line,” says COO Nico Neumann. 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 CEO Dave Jackson.

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 Federal Government coordinator of German Aerospace Dr Anna Christmann. “The planned use of 100 per cent 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, on which Deutsche Aircraft can now build.

Prime Minister of the Free State of Saxony Michael Kretschmer says: “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 climate-friendly production conditions.”

The assembly line will be built on approximately 62,000 sqm and will have a production capacity for 48 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.

Leipzig/Halle airport operator Mitteldeutsche CEO Flughafen Götz Ahmelmann says: “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,” adds Deutsche Aircraft director of infrastructure and digitalisation Sebastian Böhnl, 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.”