The Dornier 228 is a twin-turboprop, Short Take-off and Landing (STOL) utility aircraft, designed to carry up to 19 passengers or equivalent cargo, and is capable of operating from short or unpaved runways. Its origin traces back to Dornier GmbH in West Germany, with the prototype first flying on March 28, 1981, and entering commercial service in July 1982. The aircraft was developed to succeed older utility designs and solve the problem of regional connectivity, especially in areas with limited infrastructure, by utilizing its innovative TNT (Transitional New Technology) high-aspect-ratio wing for enhanced lift and efficiency.
In India, the aircraft is deeply connected to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which bought a production license in 1983 and established a manufacturing line in Kanpur. HAL has produced over 125 of these aircraft, primarily for the Indian Air Force, Indian Coast Guard, and Indian Navy, for roles like maritime surveillance, border patrol, and military transport. The aircraft is powered by two Honeywell TPE331 turboprop engines and is known for its versatility, low operational costs, and high reliability.
A significant recent change is the push for its civilian use in India, connecting it to the government's UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) regional connectivity scheme. In late 2017, the Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a type certificate for the Hindustan-Dornier 228 to be manufactured by HAL for commercial purposes. This led to the first commercial flight of an Indian-made Dornier 228 by Alliance Air on the Dibrugarh–Pasighat route on April 12, 2022. Furthermore, in February 2023, the DGCA certified a new variant, the Hindustan 228-201 LW, which has a lower maximum takeoff weight (below 5,700 kilograms) to reduce pilot qualification requirements and operating costs. However, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has clarified that it has not issued a type certificate for the HAL-produced aircraft to be operated in Europe.