In the late 1970s Dornier GmbH developed a new kind of wing, the TNT, subsidized by the German Government. Dornier tested it on a modified Do 28D-2Skyservant and with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-110 Turboprop engines. Finally Dornier changed the engine and tested the new aircraft, which was named Do 128 with two Garrett Airesearch TPE-331-5 engines. The company developed a new fuselage for the TNT and TPE 331-5 in two variants (15 and 19 Passenger) and named both project-aircraft E-1 (later Do 228-100) and E-2 (later Do 228-200). At ILA '80 Dornier presented the new aircraft in public. Both the prototypes were flown on March 21, 1981 and May 9, 1981 for the first time. After certification the first Do 228 entered service in the fleet of Norving Flyservice in February 1982. Over the years Dornier offered the 228 in upgraded variants and with special equipment for special missions. In 1998 the production line was stopped for better development of the successor Fairchild-Dornier 328.

The 328 (or Do 328) program was initially begun while Dornier was still owned by Deutsche Aerospace. The basic 328 first flew on 6 December 1991, and entered commercial service in October 1993. The 328's new fuselage allowed for comfortable 3-abreast seating, with the potential for a 4-abreast configuration. Combined with the supercritical wing developed from Dornier's Do 228, this gave the 328 excellent cruise and climb capabilities. However, the 328 entered a market crowded with other competing turboprop aircraft at the time, as well as increasing competition from new regional jets in the early 1990's.