GURUGRAM- Air India (AI) has inducted two Diamond DA42NG trainer aircraft flown from Vienna (VIE) to Amravati via Ahmedabad (AMD), marking a milestone in its pilot training expansion.
The aircraft are now based at Amravati Airport, Belora, where they will support Air India’s upcoming flying training organisation and reinforce long-term self-reliance in Indian aviation training.
Air India Diamond Aircraft for Pilot Training
In 1932, J.R.D. Tata piloted a De Havilland Puss Moth from Karachi to Bombay via Ahmedabad, carrying a bag of air mail. That short Tata Airlines flight, later evolving into Air India, laid the foundation for civil aviation in India.
Ninety-three years later, two Diamond DA42NG aircraft have retraced a different but equally symbolic journey. Their multi-country ferry flight to India represents a renewed phase of aviation development, focused on training pilots within the country and building capacity for the future.
The Diamond DA42NG aircraft are the first two deliveries from Air India’s December 2024 order for 34 trainer aircraft.
These aircraft will form the core of South Asia’s largest flying training organisation, being developed in Amravati, Maharashtra.
In addition to the Diamond fleet, Air India has already shipped 13 single-engine trainer aircraft from Piper Aircraft, Florida, to India.
Together, these aircraft establish a structured and scalable training ecosystem designed to meet the airline’s long-term pilot requirements.
The Amravati flying training organisation plans to train approximately 180 cadet pilots each year. This initiative reduces the need for aspiring pilots to seek training overseas and ensures consistent instruction aligned with airline standards.
After completing basic and intermediate training at Amravati, cadet pilots will progress to Air India’s Aviation Academy in Gurugram for advanced training and certification to operate commercial aircraft in the airline’s fleet.
6 Country Ferry Flight
The two Diamond DA42NG aircraft departed Diamond Aircraft’s factory in Wiener Neustadt, Austria, on 7 December 2025.
Their initial legs differed, with one aircraft flying along the Adriatic coast to Dubrovnik, Croatia, while the other routed via Mykonos, Greece.
The aircraft then followed a common route that included Heraklion in Crete, Hurghada in Egypt, Al-Qassim in Saudi Arabia, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, and Muscat in Oman, before entering India.
Each aircraft covered approximately 6,700 kilometres and landed in six countries en route.
Operational Profile
Most sectors of the journey were flown below 15,000 feet, allowing stable operations and efficient fuel planning.
On select legs, the aircraft climbed to altitudes approaching 20,000 feet, depending on airspace and weather conditions.
The longest leg of the ferry flight lasted approximately four hours and thirty minutes. The journey attracted attention from aviation enthusiasts worldwide, as such long-range ferry flights in light twin-engine aircraft are relatively rare.
Although operating under temporary test registrations, both aircraft already feature Air India’s new livery.
The compact application of the design stood out at international airports along the route, drawing notice from airport staff and observers.
The Diamond DA42NG is widely used for multi-engine and instrument training, making it a suitable platform for preparing cadet pilots for complex commercial operations.
Customs Clearance and Arrival
The aircraft landed at Ahmedabad on 10 December 2025 to complete import and customs formalities.
The acquisition was structured through GIFT City in Gandhinagar, India’s first and only International Financial Services Centre, ensuring regulatory and financial efficiency.
Following clearance, the aircraft flew its final leg to Belora airfield in Amravati. A newly developed runway and supporting infrastructure now await the induction of additional trainer aircraft, positioning the facility for full-scale operations.
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