New aviation project targets market for regional aircraft

Despite falling domestic flights, a factory for a new regional aircraft is being built at Leipzig/Halle Airport. The manufacturer Deutsche Aircraft believes that smaller and more economical aircraft can make connections more economical again. Modern regional aircraft "could bring about a renaissance in transportation", says aviation expert Hartmut Fricke from the Technical University of Dresden.

Smaller aircraft for short routes

The D328eco is a turboprop aircraft for around 40 passengers that consumes significantly less fuel on short routes than large jets. Smaller aircraft are more economical there, says site manager Sebastian Böhnl: "The demand for regional aircraft is there."

Before the coronavirus pandemic, Leipzig/Halle had significantly more domestic German connections - a segment that has only recovered slowly. Smaller aircraft could make such routes profitable again, also as feeder flights to international hubs.

Climate protection as a decisive factor

Climate protection is crucial for success. The aircraft is designed for sustainable aviation fuels, but "a shortage of SAF is unavoidable in the next five years", says Fricke. He believes that a blending quota makes more sense than higher CO2 taxes, because emissions would then be reduced by cleaner fuel and not primarily by more expensive tickets.

For Saxony, the plant is one of the largest aviation projects in decades. The plan is to build up to 48 aircraft per year. The first test aircraft assembled in Leipzig is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2027. The site is designed for long-term growth. "An aircraft plant is planned for 30 years plus," says Böhnl.

Whether the plan works out depends above all on the development of climate-friendly fuels and the demand for regional connections. For Leipzig/Halle, the project is nevertheless a signal for the aviation location.