328 Support Services (328SSG) is partnering with the German government to form a new aircraft OEM, Dra. The new entity will manufacture the D328Neu, a derivative of the Dornier 328, at Leipzig/Halle Airport, in Saxony, Germany. 328SSG holds the type certificate for the Dornier 328.
An MoU was signed by representatives of 328SSG, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sierra Nevada Corporation, and the German Federal and State of Saxony ministries.
The project anticipates the creation of up to 250 new jobs at the production facilities in Leipzig, and an additional 100 or so jobs at 328SSG’s headquarters in Oberpfaffenhofen, near Munich.
“We are proud to have won the confidence of the German government in supporting this exciting new programme, and recognise the continuing support of our owners, employees and business partners,” said Dave Jackson, managing director of 328SSG. “Germany’s return to the design and building of a Part 25 category commercial aircraft is long overdue and this new operation intends to create an aviation legacy founded on the heritage of aircraft pioneers. The expansion of our locations in Germany and the formation of Dra, a new dedicated OEM, will enable us to manage future developments of the D328Neu aircraft and exploit future technologies and capabilities to produce a more efficient, economic and environmentally friendly aircraft.”
328SSG says the aim of the upgraded D328Neu is to offer a suitable replacement solution for ageing in-service aircraft, as well as to support “growing global market demand” for new route development.
Further news of the programme should be announced at the end of the first quarter of 2020.
