Le Bourget, Paris, June 18, 2025 – At the Paris Air Show 2025, Deutsche Aircraft and Pratt & Whitney Canada shared updates on the 40-seat D328eco® regional turboprop. This announcement follows the successful May 2025 rollout of the first test aircraft (TAC 1) and the completion of joint synthetic fuel tests in late 2024. Pratt & Whitney is a subsidiary of RTX (NYSE: RTX).
The PW127XT-S engine from Pratt & Whitney Canada powers the D328eco. This next-generation turboprop is engineered to meet the changing needs of regional air travel, particularly in markets facing challenges like short runways, severe weather, and remote locations.
The D328eco is a next-generation turboprop designed to deliver:
- Up to 15% better fuel efficiency compared to the D328®
- 40% longer on-wing time
- 20% reduction in maintenance costs
These improvements will significantly lower operating costs and improve dispatch reliability, helping regional airlines provide dependable service in challenging environments.
“For more than 40 years, we have been committed to supporting regional airlines by understanding their specific needs,” said Maria Della Posta, president of Pratt & Whitney Canada. “The PW127XT engine family offers a solution that lowers maintenance and operating costs, providing substantial value to our customers.”
Program Momentum and Technical Validation
Deutsche Aircraft and Pratt & Whitney Canada concluded a successful flight test campaign in late 2024 using the D328 UpLift demonstrator. This campaign, in partnership with the German Aerospace Center, involved five flights using fully synthetic, zero aromatics Fischer-Tropsch fuels. The tests confirmed that the propulsion system performs as expected with alternative fuels, a key step toward supporting future operational flexibility and sustainability goals.
“The joint test campaign validates our goal of ensuring the D328eco is ready to operate with future 100% SAF specifications at Entry Into Service (EIS),” said Nico Neumann, CEO of Deutsche Aircraft. “This, along with other platform upgrades, ensures the D328eco meets performance and sustainability targets and provides a reliable, future-proof aircraft.”
From Rollout to Certification
The rollout of the first test aircraft at Deutsche Aircraft’s Oberpfaffenhofen facility marked the transition from design to practical flight testing, scheduled to commence in 2026. The program is still on track for type certification and Entry Into Service (EIS) in Q4 2027.
The D328eco is designed to serve regional operators with features including:
- Operational efficiency and high dispatch reliability
- Improved passenger comfort with a modern, spacious cabin
- Advanced avionics and aircraft systems
- Short-field and remote operation capabilities
Deutsche Aircraft and Pratt & Whitney Canada are continuing their close collaboration to ensure the aircraft meets the highest standards for performance, reliability, and efficiency, ushering in a new era of more efficient regional air travel.
All performance comparisons involving Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PW127XT-S engine are in relation to its predecessor, the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW119C engine.
Attachment
CONTACT: Deutsche Aircraft Gmbh pressoffice@deutscheaircraft.com
“`
