Press Release

Issued by Diamond Aircraft Industries.

July 13, 2017

On the 6th of July 2017 Qatar Aeronautical College (QAC), in the presence of Qatar's HE Minister of Transport and Communications, Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti and the CEO of QAC Sheik Jabor bin Hamad Al-Thani, signed a contract with Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH (DAI) for the purchase of 14 training aircraft and two simulators at their headquarters in Doha, Qatar.

The state-of-the-art, easy to fly planes powered by highly efficient jet-fuel engines AE300 from Austro Engine, were intensively tested in hot weather operations in the area of Qatar. They proved to be the best choice for preparing QAC's flight students for flying most modern airliners around the globe. The project was supported by Diamond Aircraft's sales partner, Mr. Khalid Al-Khater who also provided demonstrator planes for the flight testing phase in Qatar.

The agreement comes in line with QAC's effort to upgrade its programs, training courses and academic syllabuses and linking them to practical training for all departments for this advanced industry in the world. The fleet purchase consists of ten DA40 NG single-engine airplanes and four DA42-VI twin-engine airplanes in addition to two flight simulators (FNPT IIs), one for each type of aircraft.

Sheik Jabor bin Hamad Al-Thani, CEO Qatar Aeronautical College: “The College is proud to sign an agreement with Diamond Aircraft for the purchase of a fleet of 14 aircraft and two simulators as these aircraft have proved their efficiency and endurance to air turbulence in the Qatari environment and hot weather conditions.”

Amila Spiegel, sales director civil aircraft sales, Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH: “We are honored to be QAC's choice for professional flight trainings solutions and we are proud to be part of the new success story of Qatar Aeronautical College. This project shows that there is a demand for safe, maintenance-friendly and fuel-efficient aircraft in the Middle East region. We are convinced that Qatar Aeronautical College will benefit not only by the huge fuel savings but also due to a high standardization level of the fleet and simulators.”

Adding the most modern fleet of Diamond aircraft to QAC's existing fleet will work towards enhancing training efficiency, readiness and smooth running of the Pilot Training Division as well as to the increase in the number of graduates in this promising division in the near future.

The first aircraft will be delivered to Doha International Airport at the end of November 2017.