Swiss aviation and defence firm RUAG is negotiating with the owners of the Dornier trademark to use the Dornier name on its 228 New Generation aircraft. The company meanwhile anticipates securing an Asian launch customer for the turboprop.
The Dornier 228 New Generation is due to enter production in 2009 with first delivery to occur in 2010, says RUAG sales manager Thomas Imke.
Asia is a primary sales focus and RUAG plans to appoint a salesman to its Bangkok office, which currently supports existing 228 operators in the region including the Thai navy.
The 228 New Generation is a 19-seat turboprop that will be competing for customers against the Viking Air Twin Otter, the new version of the de Havilland Canada Twin Otter.
RUAG acquired the rights to the Dornier 228 design about five years ago when Fairchild Dornier went into bankruptcy.
Source: Flight International