A major step towards the future of sustainable regional aviation has been achieved with the inauguration of the forward fuselage assembly line for the D328eco aircraft at Akaer’s facilities in São José dos Campos, Brazil. The initiative is a collaboration between Akaer, one of Brazil’s leading aerospace and defence innovators, and Deutsche Aircraft, the German original equipment manufacturer behind the D328eco programme.
The D328eco is a regional turboprop aircraft designed to deliver greater efficiency and environmental performance. Its development has now moved firmly from the design phase into industrialisation, with market readiness targeted for the final quarter of 2027. Akaer will oversee the production of the forward fuselage, which includes not only manufacturing but also industrialisation processes, tooling, prototyping and associated engineering work.
The official ceremony, held in São José dos Campos, was attended by several high-profile dignitaries, underlining the project’s importance to Brazil’s aerospace sector and wider industrial landscape. Among those present were the city’s mayor, Anderson Farias; the Governor of São Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas; Vice Governor Felicio Ramuth; Ministry of Defence representative Ten Brig Ar Heraldo Luiz Rodrigues; and the Minister of Transport, Renan Junior.
Cesar Silva, Chief Executive of Akaer, expressed pride in the company’s role within the project, stressing both its technological and strategic significance. “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,” he said.
The D328eco programme not only highlights Germany’s commitment to pioneering greener aviation but also reinforces Brazil’s position as a critical industrial partner in the aerospace supply chain. For both nations, the collaboration symbolises how innovation, sustainability and global cooperation are shaping the next generation of regional air travel.
