Germany's Deutsche Aircraft Opens €100 Million D328eco Final Assembly Line with a Production Capacity for 48 Aircraft Annually

Germany – German regional aircraft manufacturer Deutsche Aircraft has inaugurated its D328eco Final Assembly Line (FAL) at Leipzig/Halle Airport, marking the transition of its 40-seat regional turboprop into the industrialisation and production phase. Opened on 29 September 2026, the facility establishes the manufacturing infrastructure for future aircraft deliveries and eventual entry into commercial operation.

• The new facility represents an investment of more than €100 million (approximately US$112 million) and has been designed for an annual production capacity of up to 48 D328eco aircraft as manufacturing operations ramp up.
• The Leipzig site will handle aircraft final assembly, flight-readiness activities and customer deliveries. Deutsche Aircraft's Oberpfaffenhofen operations will continue to manage engineering, flight testing and certification activities.
• The manufacturer expects the facility to create approximately 250 direct jobs during the production ramp-up, including opportunities for technicians, engineers, manufacturing specialists and apprentices. The Free State of Saxony is providing approximately €3.2 million (US$3.6 million) in support through the Federal-State GRW economic development program.
• In preparation for the D328eco's development and certification, Deutsche Aircraft previously introduced an engineering simulator developed in collaboration with Reiser Simulation and Training and Garmin. The simulator supports the evaluation of cockpit ergonomics, aircraft systems and flight characteristics ahead of physical flight testing.
• AFM previously reported that Deutsche Aircraft appointed Nico Neumann as CEO in July 2025, with the Leipzig Final Assembly Line previously targeted for completion by the fourth quarter of 2025.
• The 60,500-square-metre Leipzig facility comprises the final assembly line, a flight-readiness hangar, logistics centre and administrative headquarters. Its manufacturing infrastructure incorporates automated logistics, paperless production processes, photovoltaic systems and heat-pump technology.

Statements

• “Today is about much more than opening a factory. It marks the return of aircraft manufacturing to Saxony and a major milestone for the D328eco programme. Together, our sites in Oberpfaffenhofen and Leipzig create an end-to-end capability for developing, certifying, industrialising, manufacturing and supporting complete aircraft in Germany. For the first time in more than 60 years, every phase of the aircraft lifecycle will be integrated under a German aircraft programme. Carrying forward Dornier's pioneering legacy, the FAL strengthens Germany's resilience, competitiveness and sovereign aerospace capabilities while advancing a new generation of sustainable regional aviation. Today we celebrate an important milestone. Tomorrow, we continue building the future of regional aviation,” said Nico Neumann, Chief Executive Officer of Deutsche Aircraft.
• "Efficiency, quality and sustainability were the guiding principles behind the development of this facility. With an investment of more than €100 million, we have created a highly advanced and sustainability-focused production site for regional aircraft. Over the coming months, we will onboard highly skilled employees who will help bring the D328eco from the assembly line to operators around the globe," Sebastian Böhnl, Vice President Operations & Production, Deutsche Aircraft

Source: Deutsche Aircraft