Japanese operator New Central Airservice (NCA) has taken delivery of a factory-new Dornier 228 from RUAG MRO International. Following a ferry flight from Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany, the aircraft arrived with NCA at Ryugasaki airfield in Ryugasaki, Japan, on 27 April. RUAG is the original equipment manufacturer of the Dornier 228, and the delivery marks NCA's fourth purchase since it first welcomed the type into its fleet in 2010.

Together with Japanese sales representative for the Dornier 228 Sojitz Aerospace Corporation (SOASCO), NCA accepted delivery of the 19-passenger commuter aircraft in Oberpfaffenhofen on 29 March. A RUAG Dornier 228 crew ferried the aircraft to Japan, on the customer’s behalf, departing Oberpfaffenhofen on 15 April.

The Dornier 228 aircraft features two newly-introduced 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 RUAG's paint shop team at Oberpfaffenhofen.

NCA operates its 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 it is entrusted with by its municipal government. Thomas Müller, director Dornier 228 programme, 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.”

Senior VP of business jets Volker Wallrodt adds: “The delivery of this new aircraft to our loyal customer, NCA, marks another milestone in our Dornier 228 production and we are delighted to fulfil its expectations.

“The availability of this new aircraft is vital for NCA in its mission to fulfil its government mandate. It has placed its confidence in us and in the Dornier 228, and we feel this responsibility keenly.”