Deutsche Aircraft partners with Weerts Group for construction of final assembly line for the D328eco

Deutsche Aircraft, a leading manufacturer of regional aircraft, has announced a partnership with Weerts Group, a pan-European logistics and real estate infrastructure developer, for the construction of its state-of-the-art Final Assembly Line (FAL) for the D328eco aircraft. This collaboration is a significant achievement in the development of the D328eco programme and reinforces Deutsche Aircraft's commitment to innovation and sustainability.

The OEM broke ground for the Final Assembly Line at Leipzig/Halle Airport in May 2023. Frame conditions have since been laid and the official start of construction was announced during ILA 2024 in June. In the meantime, the ground field side has been completed and handed over. The FAL is set to become operational in the fourth quarter of 2025, as Weerts Group takes over the construction. With a total area of 60,500 square meters, the facility will contain the FAL, Flight Readiness Hangar, Logistics Centre, and Administration Building, creating a comprehensive infrastructure to support the production of the D328eco.

The new Final Assembly Line will incorporate cutting-edge technologies and processes, ensuring a 100% digital and paperless production environment. Automated and driverless transport systems will streamline operations, while automated parts and tool storage will enhance efficiency. The production line will be tailored specifically to the D328eco, optimising process flows, and utilising energy-efficient battery-powered tools.

ACIA Aero Leasing and Deutsche Aircraft collaborate on marketing initiatives for D328 aircraft

Photo Deutsche Aircraft

ACIA Aero Leasing, a leading provider of regional aircraft leasing and lease management services, and German aircraft manufacturer Deutsche Aircraft announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on marketing the manufacturer’s aircraft. The efforts will focus on the D328 and D328ecoTM variants that provide passenger, multi-role, and firefighting aircraft configurations.

Wildfires are an increasingly prevalent source of devastation in many areas across the world every year, generating adverse impacts that are only compounded by the effects of climate change. In 2022, the world has already witnessed the highest frequency of wildfires in a decade. To support efforts in addressing this issue, ACIA and DA are joining forces to develop firefighting aircraft that will aid government agencies in deploying aircraft configured for this specific application.

The firefighting-configured D328eco is an ideal multi-role aircraft that can be used as water-bomber and full-passenger aircraft. Therefore, it is well suited for this collaboration between ACIA and DA to cover Leasing, Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance (“ACMI”) operations, and related support, delivering multiple advantages to operators with different requirements. ACIA will become a preferred lessor of DA aircraft for the marketing of D328® and D328eco aircraft in firefighting configurations, supporting cost reductions and efficiencies for various government agencies.

Photo Deutsche Aircraft

“ACIA believes in supporting the firefighting sector as we see increasing devastation from wildfires in many parts of the world. We support the initiative from Deutsche Aircraft to engage in this sector, where we can offer leasing solutions and support the marketing of their multi-role aircraft,” commented Sameer Adam, Senior Vice President, Commercial of ACIA Aero Leasing. “Multi-role aircraft can be challenging projects and we see an opportunity to offer a different approach to governments around the world. As they are managing multiple economic priorities, leasing can be a viable solution to support cost management and budget controls, while also bringing operational efficiencies through our partner organizations.”

Anastasija Visnakova, Vice President, Sales and Marketing of Deutsche Aircraft, added: “Our brand new D328eco will provide unmatched flexibility to special mission firefighting operators and prides a logical, reduced risk path towards sustainable aircraft operations,” with Dave Jackson, Chief Executive Officer of Deutsche Aircraft, concluding that “we are delighted to partner with ACIA as the preferred lessor for firefighting aircraft configurations to address the increasing issues of climate change and related devastating fires.”

Deutsche Aircraft and Sasol ecoFT sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance Power-to-Liquid as a Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Deutsche Aircraft and Sasol ecoFT sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance Power-to-Liquid as a Sustainable Aviation Fuel 

Both partners recognize the urgency of climate mitigation

Existing Fischer-Tropsch fuels will be used to expedite technology development and production ramp-up, with the ultimate goal to enable a carbon-neutral fuel for the D328eco

German aircraft manufacturer Deutsche Aircraft and South African chemicals and energy company Sasol have signed a MoU on advancing technology for green hydrogen-based PtL-SAF in aviation. Sasol ecoFT and Deutsche Aircraft have both recognised the urgency in transitioning towards climate-neutral aviation. The two companies thus plan to foster the certification of sustainable drop-in and non-drop-in jet fuels, more particularly the ramp-up of PtL-SAF for aviation.

With its D328eco program, Deutsche Aircraft is working on an aircraft in the under 50-seat market, that will achieve near carbon neutrality. The aircraft, which is scheduled to be certified in 2026, will be able to use 100% H2-SAF (PtL) on top of any other certified sustainable aviation fuel and regular kerosene.

Sasol ecoFT is an ideal partner for that task as the South African company is the world leader in FT (Fischer-Tropsch) technology. Sasol ecoFT leverages Sasol's extensive FT experience, proprietary technology, and catalysts to produce sustainable fuels and chemicals via Power-to-X processes.

From a fossil heritage to a sustainable future

"Sasol ecoFT and Deutsche Aircraft stand at the beginning of a decarbonisation journey. We both have products originally designed in the age of fossil fuels. Together we can develop rapid solutions to combat climate change by improving our products while building on our heritage and expertise," comments Dave Jackson, CEO of Deutsche Aircraft.