Diamond Aircraft delivers first DA20i Katana aircraft to AELO Swiss Academy

Diamond Aircraft handed over the first two DA20i Katana aircraft to AELO Swiss Academy during an official ceremony held at the company’s headquarters in Wiener Neustadt. The delivery marks the first milestone in a multi-aircraft agreement announced in October 2025. The new aircraft will support AELO’s continued expansion and commitment to providing high-quality, modern pilot training.

Jane Wang, Director of Sales, Marketing, and Flight Operations at Diamond Aircraft Austria commented: “We are very pleased to mark this important milestone together with AELO Swiss Academy. The delivery of the first DA20i Katana aircraft represents the beginning of a new chapter in our partnership. Designed with efficiency, safety, and advanced training capabilities in mind, the Katana continues to set the standard for ab initio flight training in Europe and beyond.”

Stefano Buratti, CEO of AELO Swiss Academy stated: “We are delighted to welcome the first aircraft of this important fleet expansion to AELO Aero Locarno. As a Diamond Authorized Training Center, we have long valued Diamond Aircraft's commitment to safety, quality, innovation and operational efficiency. Their aircraft provide an outstanding training platform and play an important role in delivering the high standards of training our students expect.”

European DA20i Katana features the fuel-efficient Rotax 912 iSc3 Sport engine and the Garmin G500TXi glass cockpit, offering intuitive avionics, modern connectivity, and enhanced situational awareness. Combined with Diamond’s proven composite airframe, the aircraft provides an ideal platform for flight schools seeking performance, durability, and low operating costs.

AELO Swiss Academy, a Diamond Authorized Training Center based in Locarno, Switzerland, will integrate the new aircraft into its existing fleet of Diamond aircraft, which includes DA40 and DA42 models. Founded in 1985, AELO Swiss Academy is one of Europe’s leading pilot training institutions, recognized for its high-performance programs and strong graduate placement rates. The addition of the DA20i Katana will further strengthen its training capabilities and support its mission to deliver world-class pilot education. Diamond Aircraft and AELO Swiss Academy look forward to continuing aircraft deliveries in the coming months and further developing their long-standing partnership.