Leipzig/Halle, June 5, 2024 – Deutsche Aircraft has started preparations for the construction of the new Final Assembly Line (FAL) at Leipzig/Halle Airport. Together with local partners, initial progress is currently underway at the construction site. With this development, Deutsche Aircraft has reached a new milestone in the D328eco programme as construction moves forward for the new 40-seater turboprop in the Free State of Saxony.

In May 2023, Deutsche Aircraft commemorated the ground-breaking ceremony in Leipzig alongside federal and state partners. Since then, foundations for the construction of the FAL have been laid.

The German OEM is currently preparing for the next phase of this ambitious project. The State Secretary of the Saxon State Ministry for Economics, Labour and Transport, Thomas Kralinski, met Nico Neumann, COO of Deutsche Aircraft, at the Deutsche Aircraft stand during his visit to ILA 2024 in Berlin today to discuss the status of the project.

Expressing his satisfaction with the progress, Deutsche Aircraft COO, Nico Neumann, stated, “We are excited about the continued progress of the Final Assembly Line in Leipzig. The implementation of the latest industry standards is a crucial part of our D328eco programme. We are also making good progress in preparing the 250 employees for starting work at the site. The initial employees have arrived and we have begun training for the Leipzig location.”

The State Secretary of Saxony, Thomas Kralinski, added, “The Saxon State Ministry for Economics, Labour and Transport is providing support for this project and I am pleased to announce that the preparatory construction work at Leipzig/Halle Airport has officially started. I would like to extend my best wishes to Deutsche Aircraft and all its partners for a swift and successful construction process for the new Leipzig hangar.”

The Final Assembly Line will be 100% climate friendly. Through the installation of a photovoltaic system on the roof, all the energy required for production will be generated in a CO2-neutral manner. In addition, the incorporation of the latest heat pumps and energy storage systems will ensure a self-sufficient electricity supply for the production line. The environmentally conscious design is complemented by a green roof and a wood-concrete hybrid construction for the administration building.

Deutsche Aircraft is also focusing on digital processes and is aiming for 100% paperless production. Automated and driverless transport systems and the use of innovative IT solutions will not only improve the efficiency but also the precision of production. This will create a modern production facility and an attractive workplace.

The Final Assembly Line, together with the flight readiness hangar, logistics centre and administration building, will cover an area of around 62,000 square meters. The intention is to produce forty-eight D328eco aircraft per year and between 250 and 350 jobs will be created in the region.

With an investment of over 100 million euros, Deutsche Aircraft and its partners are committed to championing  innovation and sustainability in aviation.