RUAG delivers new Dornier 228 to Japanese operator New Central Airservice

RUAG MRO International delivered a factory new Dornier 228 to New Central Airservice (NCA). NCA, a returning customer, accepted official ownership of their fourth new Dornier 228 on 29 March 2019. The subsequent ferry flight from Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany, saw the aircraft delivered to NCA at Ryugasaki Airfield, in Ryugasaki, Japan, on 27 April 2019. RUAG is the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the Dornier 228.

​​​​​​Japanese operator, New Central Airservice, together with their longstanding partner, Sojitz Aerospace Corporation (SOASCO), accepted delivery of their factory new 19-passenger commuter aircraft during a ceremony at the RUAG MRO International facilities in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany, on 29 March 2019. A RUAG Dornier 228 crew ferried the aircraft to Japan, on the customer’s behalf, departing Oberpfaffenhofen, on 15 April, and delivering it to the NCA and SOASCO facilities at Ryugasaki Airfield, on 27 April. This marks the fourth new production series Dornier 228 to be delivered to NCA, since 2010.

This brand new Dornier 228 aircraft features two newly introduced Dornier 228 solutions: ADS-B Out compliant avionics have been included in the glass cockpit configuration; and, the recently approved, enhanced cabin seating system has also been fitted. The aircraft also displays the operator’s distinctive livery, applied by the specialists at the aircraft painting shop located within the RUAG MRO International premises.

NCA operates their Dornier 228 fleet in both passenger and cargo configurations, flying in demanding conditions. The Dornier 228 enables NCA to maintain its operations between the Japanese mainland and the remote Izu Islands, a flight plan they are entrusted with by their municipal government. Thomas Müller, Director Dornier 228 Program, RUAG MRO International, explains, “NCA requires an aircraft whose reliability and consistent performance have been proven in challenging conditions, such as heavy weather fronts, high winds and cross-winds, as well as for demanding take-off and landing operations due to decisively short airstrips. The Dornier 228 continues to be the industry’s outstanding solution to these issues,” he confirms.

“The delivery of this new aircraft to our loyal customer, NCA, marks another milestone in our Dornier 228 production and we are delighted to fulfill their expectations,” states Volker Wallrodt, Senior Vice President Business Jets, Dornier 228, Military, RUAG MRO International. “Availability of this new aircraft is vital for NCA in their mission to fulfill their government mandate. They have placed their confidence in us and in the Dornier 228, and we feel this responsibility keenly,” he states.