Undisclosed Australian firm to take up to five Dornier 228 NGs

By Simon Warburton

German firm RUAG Aerospace has secured a commitment for up to five Dornier 228 NG turboprops from an undisclosed Australian customer.

The Australian firm becomes RUAG's third customer for the re-vamped 19-seat turboprop, joining an undisclosed Asian company and Mexico's Air Cancun.

A RUAG spokeswoman gives few details about the deal, saying only that an undisclosed Australian customer has committed to the type and that it placed an order for one aircraft, plus four options, last month.

This takes RUAG to a total of eight aircraft commitments, plus five options to date. The Asian airline has a six-strong purchase agreement for the 228, while Air Cancun will take one firm and one optioned 228.

RUAG has revived the 228 programme with production at the Oberpfaffenhofen facility near Munich, while the aircraft's fuselage, wings and empennage are manufactured by Bangalore-based Hindustan Aeronautics.

Final assembly and outfitting will take place at the Munich base with the first items expected to be delivered to Germany during the first quarter of this year.

© Reed Business Information 2009