Akaer, a Brazilian leader in aerospace and defence innovation, and Deutsche Aircraft, the German OEM pioneering sustainable regional aviation, have officially inaugurated the Forward Fuselage Assembly Line for the D328eco regional turboprop aircraft at Akaer’s facilities in São José dos Campos, Brazil.
This milestone marks the D328eco’s transition from development to the industrialisation phase, underscoring the programme’s steady progress toward market readiness in Q4 2027. Akaer will lead the production of the forward fuselage, encompassing industrialisation, tooling, prototype manufacturing and associated engineering studies.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by prominent dignitaries, including the Mayor of São José dos Campos, Anderson Farias, the Governor of São Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas, Vice Governor Felicio Ramuth, Ministry of Defence/SEPROD representative, Ten Brig Ar Heraldo Luiz Rodrigues, and the Minister of Transport, Renan Junior.
“The D328eco will pave the way for more sustainable and efficient regional flights that connect smaller cities in Brazil and around the world. For Akaer, being part of this significant project and playing a key role in producing the forward fuselage is a source of great pride. It further strengthens our position as a Tier 1 supplier,” said Cesar Silva, CEO of Akaer.
“The launch of another fuselage production line at Akaer represents a key milestone in the industrialisation of the D328eco programme. Akaer’s expertise and ambition to grow into a globally recognised Tier 1 supplier make them an ideal partner—both technically and strategically—in the Brazilian market,” added Nico Neumann, CEO of Deutsche Aircraft.
The D328eco is a next-generation 40-seat turboprop aircraft developed by Deutsche Aircraft in collaboration with Akaer. Designed to operate with up to 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), the aircraft aims to significantly reduce carbon emissions and deliver an environmentally responsible solution tailored for the evolving regional aviation market.
Beyond its sustainability credentials, the D328eco is engineered for versatility. It can be configured for a wide range of missions, including passenger transport, search and rescue, military operations and aerial firefighting. Its short take-off and landing capabilities—especially on unpaved runways—make it suited for remote and underserved regions, enhancing connectivity in challenging environments.
