Deutsche Aircraft opens D328eco assembly line in Leipzig

Deutsche Aircraft has officially opened its Final Assembly Line (FAL) at Leipzig/Halle Airport, marking the transition of the D328eco regional aircraft program from development to serial production. The facility represents an investment of over €100 million and covers a 60,500-square-meter footprint, including a logistics center, administrative headquarters, and a flight-readiness hangar.

The D328eco is a modernized, stretched evolution of the Dornier 328, designed to carry up to 40 passengers. It features updated engines, advanced avionics, and is compatible with sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). The new plant is expected to create approximately 250 direct jobs and has an annual production capacity of up to 48 aircraft.

While the Leipzig site will handle assembly, customer deliveries, and flight-readiness activities, engineering, certification, and flight testing will remain centered at the company’s other site in Oberpfaffenhofen. The first aircraft assembled at the new facility is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2027, with serial production slated to begin in 2028.