RUAG delivers third Dornier 228 from new series production to customer NCA

RUAG Aviation announces the delivery of the third Dornier 228 from new series production to New Central Airservice (NCA), on 14 December 2016, fulfilling the terms of the purchase agreement announced in July of this year. The Japanese operator, and return Dornier 228 customer, together with longstanding partner, Sojitz Aerospace Corporation (SOASCO), were on hand to take official delivery of the new Dornier 228 aircraft at the original equipment manufacturer’s (OEM) production site at Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany. This new aircraft expands the NCA fleet to six Dornier 228 aircraft.

 “We are on schedule with our Dornier 228 new series production and the targeted delivery dates, “ confirms  Volker Wallrodt, Senior Vice President Business Jets, Dornier 228 & Components, RUAG Aviation. He continues, “The timely availability of this new aircraft is vital as NCA is dedicated to expanding their operations, as well as meeting their obligations as the essential air link from the remote communities of the Izu Islands to the mainland.”  

In fact, this is the third Dornier 228 in the new generation configuration to be delivered to NCA since 2010. NCA and consulting partner SOASCO have identified the Dornier 228 as their platform of choice for serving these communities, operating the fleet in both passenger and cargo configurations between Tokyo’s Chofu airport and the southern lying island chain. “The routes and their island destinations present demanding operating conditions requiring an aircraft whose reliability and consistent performance have been proven in like situations,” explains Thomas Müller, Product Manager Dornier 228, RUAG Aviation. “Challenging conditions can include heavy weather fronts, high winds and cross-winds, as well as decisively short airstrips, making for demanding takeoff and landing operations. The Dornier 228 is the outstanding solution to these issues,” he states.