Premier Flight School Deal Includes Options For 6 Additional Aircraft

Diamond Aircraft announced it signed a new partnership agreement with AELO Swiss Academy, a premier European flight training institution based at the Locarno Airport (LSZL) in Gordola, Switzerland. AELO is purchasing 12 DA20i Katana aircraft with options for an additional 6 for delivery in 2027.

This is the first fleet order of the Katana since its production was reintroduced by Diamond in Europe earlier in October 2025.

Jane Wang, Director of Sales, Marketing, and Flight Ops at Diamond Aircraft Austria said, “We’re incredibly proud to see such a strong and immediate response to the return of the DA20i Katana. 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 new version of the European DA20i Katana has been upgraded and modernized to feature the Rotax 912 iSc3 Sport Engine and the Garmin G500TXi glass cockpit that provides advanced avionics, touchscreen navigation, and enhanced situational awareness. With its proven composite airframe, the DA20 delivers durability, low operating costs, and an excellent training experience.

Stefano Buratti, CEO of the AELO Swiss Academy, “We are excited to expand our Diamond fleet with the DA20 Katana. 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.”

FMI:  www.diamondaircraft.com/ , aerolocarno.ch/