General Atomics AeroTec Systems highlighted the continued operation of its Do228 aircraft in one of the world’s most challenging environments , the Svalbard archipelago, over 1,000 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle. Norwegian aviation company Lufttransport AS operates two Do228 aircraft, one Do228 NG and one Do228 Classic, to connect the settlements of Longyearbyen and Ny-Ålesund.
Lufttransport, based in Tromsø and active since 1955, provides specialized aviation services across Norway, including air ambulance missions, coastal surveillance, and charter operations. On Svalbard, the company’s Do228 fleet supports both passenger and cargo missions, transporting scientists, research equipment, ice samples, luggage, and animals.
Operating in Arctic conditions means coping with long periods of darkness, ice, strong winds, and extreme temperatures. Despite these conditions, the Do228 aircraft remain in active service. Their versatility allows for quick configuration changes between passenger and cargo layouts, enabling loads of up to two tons per flight.
The company noted that even avionics systems, such as the Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS), require longer initialization times near the pole due to the unique magnetic and rotational characteristics of the region.
Lufttransport’s continued use of the Do228 demonstrates the aircraft’s suitability for specialized missions in remote and severe climates. General Atomics AeroTec Systems continues production of the aircraft for operators requiring reliable performance in similar conditions.
You can also watch our previous interview about the restart of Do228 production:
