The proposed D328eco, set to go into production in 2027, has raised eyebrows among regional aviation experts, but could the new kid on the block really create a “platform to shape the future”?
Deutsche Aircraft has announced its new generation of turboprop aircraft, the D328eco, designed to compete with ATR’s 42-600 aircraft in the regional space. It will mark the first time a commercial aircraft has been designed and manufactured in Germany since its predecessor,the Dornier 328, entered service in 1993.
The D328eco will be fitted with the latest Pratt & Whitney turboprop, the PW127XT-S, an engine which claims to reduce maintenance costs by 20%, and cut fuel burn by 3% compared to the previous generation. This, combined with the use of 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), is presumably what gives the aircraft the appendage ‘eco’, and separates it from its competition.
“A very proud moment”
In a roll-out event in the airline’s hangar on 28 May, Deutsche Aircraft’s CEO, Nico Neumann, took the time to speak with LARA Editor, Rob Munro, stressing that it was “a very proud moment for the whole Deutsche Aircraft team to bring the aviation [production] entirety back to Germany.”
When asked about the market for the D328eco, Neumann said: “On one side [there’s] the replacement market, so that is all the aircraft flying [in] that segment which are going into retirement age. Then we have [the] gross market in the multi-mission, multi-role segment, [for example] flying hospitals, search and rescue, border control.” Neumann also pointed to the less saturated markets for regional aircraft, like India, where the new turboprop is likely to be popular.
Reality bites
Despite Neumann and his team’s undoubted pride in their shiny new creation, there are some in the industry who are keen to inject some cold, objective reality into the proceedings.
“There is demand for smaller turboprops, but this generally emanates from the used sector, as the ATR 42-600 is the only in-production aircraft currently servicing the sub-50-seats segment,” Jonathan McDonald, Manager of Classic and Cargo Aircraft at IBA, told LARA. “The ATR 42-600 is by no means a poor performing product; moreover, it is ordered as a niche among operators that do not need the 72 seats plus of an ATR 72-600.”
McDonald added that only 70 ATR 42-600s have been delivered over a 14-year period, amounting to a somewhat paltry average of five aircraft a year.
“This supports the notion that most operators looking to acquire a new passenger turboprop will pursue the avenue of 72 seats plus,” said McDonald.
Deutsche Aircraft is also keen to promote the new turboprop’s ability to run on 100% SAF, but McDonald feels this might not be the unique selling point they are hoping for.
“If some…less developed jurisdictions either cannot access SAF or find the fuel diversification challenging, this could be an issue for Deutsche Aircraft, with would-be operators continuing to use older models instead and therefore limiting re-marketing prospects for the D328eco,” he said.
Rugged reliability
One of the major attractions of regional turboprops is their rugged reliability, and this very strength could be a barrier to entry for the D328eco, competing to replace older programmes such as the SAAB 340 series and Dash 8-100/Q200/Q300, which are still performing well despite their age.
“Most of these programmes have some form of life extension programme in place, and operators are taking advantage of this,” said McDonald. “Despite their age, these older turboprops can still be operated very efficiently, and their operators’ operational modus operandi is centric to these types. To transition to a newer model would be a huge logistical exercise and investment.”
To summarise, Deutsche Aircraft’s enthusiastic and dynamic launch of this smaller turboprop regional aircraft has been met with considerable positivity and admiration, but its practical appeal to operators remains to be proven.
Deutsche Aircraft’s D328eco is unveiled to an expectant crowd at the company’s HQ in Germany.
