24 October 2025
Diamond Aircraft is restarting production of the two-seat DA20i Katana in Europe, more than a decade after the last examples rolled out of the company’s Austrian factory.
The trainer will once again be built at Diamond’s Wiener Neustadt facility. Order books are already open.
The European-built DA20i Katana will be powered by the latest Rotax 912 iSc3 Sport engine, offering 100hp with improved efficiency and smooth operation. A major upgrade is the addition of Garmin’s G500TXi glass cockpit, giving the Katana touchscreen avionics, synthetic vision and real-time traffic and terrain awareness.
Jane Wang, Director of Sales, Marketing and Flight Ops at Diamond Aircraft Austria, said, “We’re thrilled to bring it back to Europe. This aircraft has always held a special place in the hearts of pilots and instructors, and with its new upgrades, it’s ready to inspire the next generation of aviators.”
Originally introduced in the 1990s, the DA20 became a popular choice for ab initio training thanks to its composite airframe, responsive handling and low operating costs. While European production was paused, Diamond’s Canadian factory continued building the DA20-C1, powered by a 125hp Continental IO-240 engine. That model that will continue in production.
The first customer for Diamond Aircraft’s DA20i is AELO Swiss High Performance Aviation Academy. The agreement includes the purchase of 12 DA20i Katana aircraft, with an option for an additional six DA20i Katanas for delivery in 2027.
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.
