Akaer and Deutsche Aircraft open forward fuselage assembly line for D328eco in Brazil

Brazilian aerospace company Akaer and German manufacturer Deutsche Aircraft have inaugurated the forward fuselage assembly line for the D328eco at Akaer’s facilities in Brazil. The supplier will be responsible for the entire section, including industrialisation, tooling, prototype manufacturing and engineering work.

The D328eco is an updated version of the Dornier 328, a 30-seat turboprop that entered service in the early 1990s. The new variant features aerodynamic improvements, new engines, upgraded avionics and modernised manufacturing processes, increasing capacity to 40 passengers while retaining the ability to operate from short and unpaved runways.

“The D328eco will pave the way for more sustainable and efficient regional flights, connecting smaller cities in Brazil and around the world. Being part of this significant project and taking a key role in producing the forward fuselage is a source of great pride and reinforces our position as a Tier 1 supplier,” said Cesar Silva, CEO of Akaer.

Nico Neumann, CEO of Deutsche Aircraft, added: “The launch of another fuselage production line at Akaer represents a key milestone in the D328eco programme. Akaer’s expertise and ambition to grow into a globally recognised Tier 1 supplier make them the ideal partner in the Brazilian market.”

The program reached a major milestone in May when the first prototype, known as TAC 1, was unveiled in Germany. The aircraft, which will lead the flight test campaign, has yet to receive its Pratt & Whitney PW127 engines but marks the transition to the testing and certification phase.

Designed to operate with up to 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), the D328eco will also be capable of missions beyond regional passenger transport, including search and rescue, military operations and aerial firefighting.

Certification is planned for the fourth quarter of 2027, after which the aircraft will compete directly with the ATR 42, the long-standing leader in its category.

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