Diamond Aircraft delivers first new European-built DA20 to Aviation Academy Austria

Diamond Aircraft delivered the first newly produced DA20i Katana since its relaunch. The milestone aircraft was handed over to Aviation Academy Austria (AAA) during a special ceremony at Diamond Aircraft’s headquarters in Wiener Neustadt on Friday, November 28. This aircraft is the first of two DA20i Katanas ordered by AAA, with the second scheduled for delivery in early 2026.

The DA20i Katana, a two-seater single-engine piston aircraft, has long been celebrated for its performance, reliability, and training value. Responding to growing demand from flight schools and private owners, Diamond Aircraft resumed European production earlier this year. The latest model features a Rotax 912 iSc3 Sport engine for modern efficiency and a Garmin G500TXi glass cockpit, offering advanced avionics, touchscreen interface, and enhanced situational awareness for today’s training environment.

Oliver Karall, CEO of Aviation Academy Austria commented: “We are thrilled to welcome the new DA20i Katana into our fleet. This aircraft perfectly aligns with our mission to provide state-of-the-art training solutions. Its combination of proven design and cutting-edge technology will allow our students to experience the very best in modern flight training. We look forward to adding the two new DA20i to our already existing fleet of seven DA20i, four DA40NG and two DA42NG-VI.”

Jane Wang, Director Sales, Marketing and Flight Ops at Diamond Aircraft Austria, stated: “Relaunching production of the DA20i Katana – and now delivering the first unit in Europe – marks another exciting chapter for Diamond Aircraft and our customers. The DA20i blends tradition with innovation, making it an ideal choice for flight schools like AAA that are committed to shaping the next generation of pilots.”

With its composite airframe, advanced avionics, and efficient powerplant, the DA20i Katana continues Diamond Aircraft’s legacy of engineering excellence. This delivery underscores Diamond’s dedication to supporting flight training organizations worldwide with aircraft that combine safety, performance, and innovation.