Air TransportDeutsche Aircraft delays D328eco prototype maiden flight to 2026
Deutsche Aircraft has postponed the maiden flight of the D328eco prototype to 2026, shifting from its previous target of a first flight in 2025.
The company has reiterated its commitment to introducing the regional turboprop into commercial service in the fourth quarter of 2027, according to Flight Global.
The D328eco, an updated version of the Dornier 328, incorporates new Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127XT-S engines and a Garmin G5000 Prime avionics suite. The fuselage has been stretched by 2.1 meters, allowing the aircraft to accommodate up to 40 seats, compared to the original 32-seat configuration.
The first PW127XT-S engine was recently delivered and will be installed on the prototype in the coming weeks, alongside the cockpit systems. The second engine is en route to the assembly site in Oberpfaffenhofen. The aircraft’s wiring system installation is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Deutsche Aircraft presented the TAC1 prototype fuselage in May, initially without engines as a cost-saving measure. The TAC1 combines fuselage sections from two different Dornier 328 airframes as part of the D328eco development program.
Ground testing of the D328eco is expected to begin in early 2026, with flight testing to follow by mid-year. Series production will take place at a new assembly line in Leipzig, currently under construction. The company plans to move into its first building at the site in December.
The D328eco program aims to offer a modernized regional turboprop option for airlines, with design changes focused on operational efficiency and passenger capacity. The timeline adjustment reflects the complexity of development and integration of new systems.
Deutsche Aircraft’s next steps include completing the installation of key systems on the prototype and initiating ground tests in 2026.
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