Wiener Neustadt, Austria, October 29, 2025 – Diamond Aircraft is pleased to announce a significant new partnership with AELO Swiss Academy, one of Europe’s premier pilot training institutions. The agreement includes the purchase of 12 DA20i Katana aircraft, with an option for an additional six DA20i Katanas for delivery in 2027.
This landmark deal marks the first major fleet order since the reintroduction of DA20 production in Europe earlier this month.
“We’re incredibly proud to see such a strong and immediate response to the return of the DA20i Katana,” said Jane Wang, Director Sales, Marketing, and Flight Ops at Diamond Aircraft Austria. “AELO’s commitment confirms what we’ve long believed - there’s simply nothing like the Katana. Its blend of performance, efficiency, and modern avionics makes it the ideal platform for today’s flight training needs.”
The newly built European DA20i Katana features the Rotax 912 iSc3 Sport engine and the Garmin G500TXi glass cockpit, offering advanced avionics, intuitive touchscreen navigation, and enhanced situational awareness. Built on Diamond’s proven composite airframe, the DA20 continues to deliver exceptional durability, low operating costs, and a superior training experience.
“We are excited to expand our Diamond fleet with the DA20 Katana,” said Stefano Buratti, CEO at AELO Swiss Academy. “This aircraft is a perfect fit for our training philosophy - efficient, modern, sustainable, and built to the highest standards. With this investment, we’re ensuring our students train on the most advanced and reliable platforms available.”
Founded in 1985 and based in Locarno, Switzerland, AELO Swiss Academy is recognized for its high-performance training programs and exceptional graduate placement rate, with over 96% of students securing airline positions within six months of graduation. The academy currently operates a fleet of 27 aircraft, including Diamond DA40s and DA42s, and has just completed a major expansion of its facilities and campus infrastructure.
This new DA20 fleet will further strengthen AELO’s training capabilities and support its mission to deliver world-class pilot education under the Swiss Seal of Excellence.
For more information on the DA20 series, click here.
To learn more about AELO Swiss Academy, visit aerolocarno.ch.
