Market Intelligence: Europe

Intercontinental Aviation Enterprise Places 2025 Order for 10 New Diamond Aircraft

UAE – Intercontinental Aviation Enterprise (IAE), the parent company of the fast-expanding flight training group Intercontinental Aviation Academies (IAA), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with training aircraft manufacturer Diamond Aircraft for the acquisition of 10 new training aircraft, underscoring its commitment to growing its multinational pilot training operations.

  • The MoU includes eight DA40 NG and two DA42-VI aircraft, strategically configured for both A6 (UAE) and EASA registrations, supporting fleet standardisation across IAE’s training operations in the United Arab Emirates, Cyprus, Lebanon, Greece, and Portugal.

  • Initial deliveries are scheduled to commence in Q2 2026, beginning with six DA40 NG and one DA42-VI aircraft, with delivery timelines to be finalised in upcoming negotiations.

  • The partnership includes comprehensive support services such as instructor familiarisation, maintenance training, documentation packages, and spare parts provisioning to ensure operational readiness.

  • The initial aircraft are expected to enter service at IAE’s new UAE facilities as the first batches of local cadets begin flight training in 2026

Statements

  • “This agreement marks another milestone in our expansion strategy. Diamond Aircraft’s modern fleet supports our commitment to delivering safe, efficient, and globally standardised pilot training across all our bases. With demand accelerating, this partnership enables us to scale with confidence,” said Capt. Wissam Mehyou, CEO of Intercontinental Aviation Enterprise.

  • “We are delighted to support IAE’s growth with our DA40 and DA42 platforms. Their multi-base training model aligns perfectly with our aircraft’s capabilities, efficiency, and safety profile. We look forward to advancing this partnership through the final Purchase Agreement,” said Anton Chirkovski, Head of Civil Aircraft Sales, Diamond Aircraft.

Source: Diamond Aircraft
Photo Credit: Diamond Aircraft

Related Posts

Czech Flight School Training Group F AIR Strengthens Global Ties at Dubai Airshow 2025

Czech Republic & UAE – F AIR, one of Central Europe’s largest flight training group’s, actively participated in Dubai Airshow 2025 to enhance its international partnership footprint and explore advancements in pilot training training solutions.

F AIR’s Head of Training Captain Miroslav Srnec and CCO Viliam Visokai represented the organisation which is already active in the United Arab Emirates through being a flight training partner to Air Arabia Academy’s Multi-Crew Pilot License (MPL) program.

Source: F AIR
Photo Credit: F AIR

Related Posts

Intercontinental Aviation Enterprise Expands Investment in Greece

Greece – Intercontinental Aviation Enterprise (IAE), through its training division Intercontinental Aviation Academy (IAA), has announced an expansion of its Greek operations, including infrastructure investments at Heraklion Airport and a strategic intake initiative targeting GCC aspiring pilots.

  • IAE will invest further in Greece, particularly at Heraklion Airport (Nikos Kazantzakis), where enhancements include aircraft fleet upgrades aimed at improving operational efficiency and service quality.

  • Intercontinental Aviation Academy (FlyIAA), in collaboration with local partner Cretan Eagle Aviation, is launching an exclusive intake program for aspiring pilots from the GCC region.

  • Beginning January 2026, limited EASA pilot training seats will be reserved for students from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Iraq, and Qatar.

  • The Greece-based FlyIAA Academy offers an accelerated ATPL programme with a 16–18 month timeline, leveraging favourable Mediterranean flying conditions and modern training infrastructure.

  • The fleet includes Diamond DA40s, Piper Seneca PA-34s, and the AL250 FNPT II simulator—supporting both VFR/IFR and multi-engine training.

  • This move aligns with FlyIAA’s multi-base expansion model, which includes facilities in the UAE, Lebanon, Cyprus, and Greece, targeting global and regional pilot training markets.

Source: Intercontinental Aviation Enterprise
Photo Credit: Intercontinental Aviation Enterprise

Related Posts

New Helicopter Training Centre Breaks Ground in 2025 – Planned Delivery of Reiser H135/145 FFS in 2027

Netherlands – European Heli Center (EHC) has begun construction on a state-of-the-art helicopter training centre at Lelystad Airport, set to become its new headquarters. The facility will house a REISER H135/H145 Level D full-flight simulator and is designed to support advanced multi-mission helicopter training across a broad spectrum of civil and government operators.

  • The new centre, announced at VERTICON 2025 and now under construction, will feature a REISER-built Level D full-flight simulator for roll-on/roll-off Airbus H135/H145 platforms, scheduled for operation by Q1 2027.
  • EHC’s upcoming headquarters will offer multi-mission training, catering to emergency medical services (EMS), offshore transport, law enforcement, military, and commercial flight operations.
  • EHC currently operates a fleet of 21 helicopters across its existing training centres in the Netherlands and Norway.

Statements

  • “We are proud to see this project advancing exactly as planned. The start of construction brings us one step closer to delivering a modern and efficient training capability for operators worldwide.” – Dr. Johannes Hain, CEO, Reiser Simulation and Training
  • “Together with REISER, we are creating a facility that will define the future of helicopter training in Europe.” – Jeroen Peddemors, CEO, European Heli Center

Source: European Heli Center

Related Posts

Simaero and OpenAirlines Partner to Equip Airlines with Training to Operations Solutions for Sustainable Aviation

France – Simaero, a global operator of full flight simulator training centers, has entered into a strategic partnership with French clean-tech specialist OpenAirlines to embed fuel efficiency and eco-flying analytics into simulator-based pilot training. The collaboration aims to support airlines in achieving both operational and environmental performance goals.

  • The partnership integrates OpenAirlines’ SkyBreathe® fuel optimisation technology directly into Simaero’s simulator training curriculum.
  • Pilot trainees will now be equipped with data-driven insights into fuel efficiency from the outset of their training, aligning with evolving regulatory and cost-efficiency demands.
  • The joint initiative began in October 2025, with global implementation planned across Simaero’s training centres in France, South Africa, China, and India.
  • The solution aims to bridge the gap between pilot training and airline operations, enabling airlines to scale sustainability practices and instil eco-efficient behaviours early in pilot development.
  • The collaboration positions sustainability and operational performance as core training pillars, which is critical as airlines worldwide increase focus on emissions reduction.

Statements

  • “We envision an aviation future where operational excellence and environmental stewardship are seamlessly integrated outcomes. Airlines partnering with us don’t just receive trained pilots, they gain champions who contribute to both immediate profitability and long-term environmental goals. This collaboration represents the aviation industry’s evolution toward intelligent, data-driven operations where every flight optimizes both performance and planet impact, ensuring airlines thrive in an increasingly sustainability-focused marketplace.” – Nicolas Mouté, CEO, Simaero
  • “This partnership reflects our commitment to sharing our knowledge as widely as possible. By working with Simaero, we are combining two complementary strengths: their excellence in training and our expertise in fuel efficiency. Together, we aim to accelerate the shift towards a more responsible and efficient aviation industry.” – Alexandre Feray, CEO, OpenAirlines

Source: Simaero
Photo Credit: Simaero

Related Posts