328 Support Services (328SSG), the type certificate holder of the Dornier 328 aircraft, has formed a new aircraft original equipment manufacturer, DRA.

Representatives of 328SSG, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sierra Nevada Corporation and the German Federal and State of Saxony ministries, have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish DRA's final assembly line for the D328NEU aircraft, a derivative of the Dornier 328, at Leipzig/Halle airport in the State of Saxony. The project anticipates the creation of up to 250 new jobs at the production facilities in Leipzig, and an additional 100-plus 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,” says managing director Dave Jackson. “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.”

The aim of the upgraded D328NEU is to offer a suitable replacement solution for ageing in-service aircraft in the aviation market, as well as supporting the growing global market demand of new route development.

Further updates on the programme will be announced at the end of the first quarter of 2020.