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Charles Alcock

Deutsche Aircraft is pushing back the projected service entry for its D328eco regional airliner until the end of 2027. The German manufacturer has been working to modernize the 1990s-era twin turboprop and has aimed to achieve EASA type certification in 2026.
In a statement issued on July 5, Deutsche Aircraft said it decided to delay the program after a detailed internal review and discussions with prospective customers, which include charter and corporate shuttle flight operator <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2023-05-16/private-wings-signs-launch-customer-d328eco">Private Wings</a>. The company added that the shift in program timeline has been caused in part by unspecified regulatory changes that will impact the certification process.
The 40-passenger D328eco will feature a pair of new Pratt &amp; Whitney PW127XT-S engines that initially will run on power-to-liquid sustainable aviation fuel. In the longer term, Deutsche Aircraft has planned to introduce a hydrogen-powered version. It has conducted studies with Universal Hydrogen, the California-based start-up that closed last week, and also with German hydrogen propulsion developer H2Fly.
In June 2023, Deutsche Aircraft, which is based at Wessling near Munich, announced a materials management agreement with Thyssenkrupp Aerospace. The D328eco’s flight deck will use a Garmin avionics suite.
“While we have had to realign the entry into service for our D328eco, we are taking this opportunity to investigate further product enhancements and we are satisfied by the tremendous progress of the program to date,” said Dave Jackson, CEO of Deutsche Aircraft. “Our certification panels with EASA are advancing successfully, the start of construction for our final assembly line in Leipzig has begun and we have secured over 95% of our suppliers, including those providing access to strategic growth markets.”

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Deutsche Aircraft Delays Service Entry for D328eco Regional Airliner 

Deliveries of the 40-seater are now expected to start at the end of 2027

Regulatory changes prompted Deutsche Aircraft to push back the timeline for its D328eco twin turboprop airliner by at least 12 months to the end of 2027.

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Deutsche Aircraft