De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited has secured European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification for its DHC-6 Twin Otter Classic 300-G, clearing the path for European operations and deliveries to global regions that recognize the regulatory standard.

Announced in a press release on July 22, 2026, during the Farnborough Airshow, the regulatory approval marks a major milestone for the next-generation Twin Otter program. The certification validates the updated airframe and its modern avionics suite, enabling the manufacturer to expand its delivery footprint to operators requiring EASA compliance.

Zimex Aviation inaugurates European operations

The first EASA-certified Twin Otter Classic 300-G has already entered commercial service. On June 24, 2026, De Havilland Canada delivered the initial production aircraft, bearing serial number 998, to Switzerland-based Zimex Aviation Ltd. The operator has a long history with the aircraft type, having flown Twin Otter airframes for more than five decades in various operational environments.

Daniele Cereghetti, Chief Executive Officer of Zimex Aviation Ltd., noted that the new variant maintains the operational characteristics of the legacy fleet while introducing necessary upgrades.

“The Twin Otter has long been an important part of our fleet. The Classic 300-G builds on everything we value about the aircraft while adding modern technology and improved efficiency,” Cereghetti said. “We are proud to be the first operator flying the EASA-certified aircraft and look forward to putting it to work supporting our customers around the world.”

De Havilland Canada Vice President of Sales Ryan DeBrusk highlighted the operational readiness of the new airframe. He stated that the manufacturer is pleased the first EASA-certified aircraft is already flying with Zimex Aviation, which demonstrates that the aircraft is delivering on its promise from day one.

Global fleet expansion and recent orders

The EASA certification announcement follows a series of recent delivery and sales milestones for the Classic 300-G program. On June 18, 2026, De Havilland Canada delivered the first of two Twin Otter Classic 300-G aircraft to Ethiopian Airlines. The African carrier is utilizing the aircraft to support regional connectivity across East Africa, operating in environments that require the short takeoff and landing capabilities inherent to the DHC-6 design.

Concurrent with the EASA certification announcement on July 22, 2026, De Havilland Canada signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Island Aviation Services Limited, operating as Maldivian. The agreement covers two DHC-6 Twin Otter Classic 300-G aircraft, marking the first order for this specific variant in the Maldives. The Classic 300-G features the Garmin G1000 NXi integrated flight deck, which provides operators with modernized navigation and situational awareness tools compared to legacy Twin Otter flight decks.

AirPro News analysis

We view the EASA certification of the Twin Otter Classic 300-G as a critical commercial unlock for De Havilland Canada. EASA approval is not only mandatory for European operators like Zimex Aviation but also serves as the baseline certification standard for numerous civil aviation authorities globally. By securing this validation, De Havilland Canada effectively opens the addressable market for the 300-G variant.

The rapid succession of the Ethiopian Airlines delivery, the Zimex Aviation delivery, and the Maldivian LOI demonstrates sustained demand for rugged, unpaved-runway capable utility aircraft. The integration of the Garmin G1000 NXi avionics suite resolves the primary obsolescence issue that faced legacy DHC-6 operators. We expect this modernization, combined with the EASA stamp of approval, to drive a steady replacement cycle among existing Twin Otter operators over the next decade.

Sources: De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (EASA Certification)

Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) will open a new publicly accessible outdoor space, the UPMC Terrace, on July 29, 2026, offering travelers and visitors pre-security access to fresh air and views of airport operations.

The opening of the landside arrivals level terrace, located near baggage claims 5 through 8, marks the realization of outdoor design concepts included in the airport’s $1.7 billion Terminal Modernization Program. According to Blue Sky News, the official news service of the Allegheny County Airport Authority, the space was developed in partnership with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) and the Richard King Mellon Foundation.

Integrating nature into terminal design

The UPMC Terrace provides a dedicated outdoor environment for meeters, greeters, and airport staff without requiring them to pass through security checkpoints. The inclusion of outdoor spaces reflects a growing trend in airport architecture aimed at improving the passenger experience by incorporating natural light and fresh air into traditionally enclosed infrastructure.

By positioning the terrace on the landside arrivals level, airport planners have created a designated waiting area that connects visitors with the surrounding environment while they wait for arriving passengers. The space allows visitors to observe airport operations in an open-air setting.

Completion of modernization milestones

The new terrace follows the November 18, 2025, debut of PIT’s modernized terminal facility. The $1.7 billion project transitioned the airport from its historical layout as a connecting hub into a modern origin-and-destination facility.

Original design concepts for the new terminal included four outdoor terraces, split evenly between landside and airside locations. The UPMC Terrace represents the completion of the landside outdoor space component.

“This is a new day for our region. This is an airport built for Pittsburgh, by Pittsburgh. It improves the passenger experience and ensures this region remains on a global stage,” Allegheny County Airport Authority CEO Christina Cassotis stated regarding the broader terminal modernization project.

AirPro News analysis

We note that the integration of pre-security outdoor spaces like the UPMC Terrace serves a dual purpose for modern airport operators. Beyond passenger comfort, these areas provide valuable dwell spaces for the non-traveling public and staff, potentially reducing congestion in traditional arrivals halls. As origin-and-destination traffic continues to dominate PIT’s operational profile, amenities catering to local meet-and-greet traffic align closely with the facility’s updated strategic focus.

Sources: Blue Sky News (UPMC Terrace)

De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited and Island Aviation Services Limited, operating as Maldivian, signed a Letter of Intent on July 22, 2026, for the purchase of two DHC-6 Twin Otter Classic 300-G aircraft. The agreement, finalized at the Farnborough Airshow, marks the first orders of the new-generation turboprop for the Maldives, currently the largest Twin Otter operating market globally.

Announced via a company press release, the acquisition will support inter-island transportation, tourism, and regional connectivity across the Maldivian archipelago. The Twin Otter has long been a foundational asset for aviation in the region, and the introduction of the Classic 300-G variant aims to modernize the local fleet with updated technology.

Expanding the Maldivian fleet

Island Aviation Services Limited will become the first operator in the country to bring the Classic 300-G into service. The Maldives relies heavily on seaplane operations to connect its dispersed atolls and luxury resorts, making the short takeoff and landing capabilities of the Twin Otter essential for the local tourism economy.

Ibrahim Iyas, Managing Director of Island Aviation Services Limited, noted that the aircraft has been an integral part of local aviation for decades.

“This newest generation aircraft will allow us to continue providing the dependable service our passengers expect while benefiting from the aircraft’s latest technological and operational enhancements,” Iyas said.

Ryan DeBrusk, Vice President of Sales for De Havilland Canada, emphasized the strategic importance of the region, stating there is no better place to introduce the next generation of the aircraft than its largest global market.

Certification and lifecycle support milestones

The LOI coincides with broader programmatic advancements for the Twin Otter platform. On July 22, 2026, De Havilland Canada announced that the Twin Otter Classic 300-G received certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). This regulatory approval clears the path for deliveries to operators in Europe and other jurisdictions that recognize EASA standards.

Concurrently, the manufacturer launched its Twin Otter Re-Life Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) programs. These factory-supported options are designed to extend the service life of existing DHC-6 airframes, providing operators with alternatives to fleet replacement. To date, De Havilland Canada has produced over 1,000 Twin Otter aircraft worldwide.

AirPro News analysis

We view the Maldivian order as a critical endorsement for the Classic 300-G program. Securing a commitment from the world’s largest Twin Otter market validates De Havilland Canada’s strategy to update the legacy airframe rather than design a clean-sheet replacement. The concurrent EASA certification and Re-Life STC announcements demonstrate a dual approach: capturing new sales with the Classic 300-G while monetizing the extensive existing global fleet through factory-supported life extension programs.

Sources: De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited