Deutsche Aircraft has inaugurated its Final Assembly Line (FAL) at Leipzig/Halle Airport in Germany, marking the transition of the D328eco sustainable regional aircraft programme from development to serial production. The opening also represents the return of aircraft manufacturing to the Saxony region for the first time in more than 60 years.
The facility represents an investment of more than €100 million, and at full capacity, approximately 250 employees will produce up to 48 aircraft per year in Leipzig/Halle. The site covers 60,500 square metres (equivalent to approximately eight football fields). and includes the Final Assembly Line, a Flight Readiness Hangar, a logistics centre and an administration building.
The modern FAL facility incorporates advanced manufacturing technologies, automated logistics systems, and paperless production processes to increase efficiency, quality and transparency throughout the aircraft assembly process. The facility also has an energy-efficient infrastructure, including photovoltaic systems and heat pump technology.
Regional importance
The FAL at Leipzig/Halle Airport is not just important to the D328eco programme and Deutsche Aircraft’s end-to-end aerospace capability; it also important to the Saxony region and ultimately the German economy.
The importance of the FAL is reflected in backing from the Free State of Saxony, which is supporting the project with approximately €3.2 million through the Federal-State GRW programme (‘Joint Task for the Improvement of Regional Economic Structures’). The programme will generate long-term industrial value across the aerospace supply chain and strengthen Saxony’s position within Germany’s aerospace sector.
The facility is expected to create approximately 250 new direct jobs as production ramps up over the coming years, supporting skilled employment throughout the aerospace supply chain. Beyond direct employment, the programme will create opportunities for apprentices, technicians, engineers and manufacturing specialists, nurturing the next generation of aerospace talent in Saxony.
“Today is about much more than opening a factory. It marks the return of aircraft manufacturing to Saxony and a major milestone for the D328eco programme,” said Nico Neumann, CEO of Deutsche Aircraft, at the inauguration ceremony.
“Together, our sites in Oberpfaffenhofen [near Munich] and Leipzig create an end-to-end capability for developing, certifying, industrialising, manufacturing and supporting complete aircraft in Germany. For the first time in more than 60 years, every phase of the aircraft lifecycle will be integrated under a German aircraft programme.”
