FutureFlight
North Energy Cluster Partnership Boosts Deutsche Aircraft's Plans For Green 328eco Airliner
Norway’s North Energy Cluster is working with Deutsche Aircraft to make available new e-fuels that they say will deliver lower carbon emissions than existing sustainable aviation fuels.
Dornier 328eco
Plans call for Deutsche Aircraft to fly the Do328eco for the first time on PtL e-fuels in 2023. (Image: Deutsche Aircraft)

An agreement reached this week between Deutsche Aircraft and Norway’s North Energy Cluster (NEC) is set to support plans for a new version of the Dornier 328 regional airliner meant to run on fully carbon-neutral fuel. The new project marks an interim step in a longer-term plan to eventually operate a 43-seat D328eco with a hydrogen propulsion system.

The letter of intent signed on March 14, which the partners say will achieve substantial short-term reductions of Northern Norway’s aviation climate footprint through the use of so-called e-fuels, calls on major wind and hydropower producers, technology suppliers, electrochemical companies to help build the infrastructure needed at the 26 airports in the secluded territory while Deutsche Aircraft provides the aircraft platform.