Chaitali Bag
At the 2025 Dubai Airshow, aviation enthusiasts and industry leaders alike witnessed an inspiring chapter unfold in regional air travel. De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (De Havilland Canada), one of the most respected names in aviation engineering and manufacturing, revealed that IndiaOne Air—a dynamic regional airline based in India—has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to acquire up to ten of the newly developed Twin Otter Series 300-G aircraft. This development signals much more than a simple aircraft order; it embodies the shared commitment of two visionary companies to advance regional connectivity, promote accessibility, and strengthen the essence of air transportation across one of the world’s most geographically diverse nations.
Empowering Regional Aviation: A Shared Vision
IndiaOne Air’s strategic decision to expand its fleet with the Twin Otter 300-G resonates perfectly with its mission to connect the unconnected. India, with its vast landscape and dispersed rural and island communities, faces the persistent challenge of linking remote locations to the national transportation network. Many regions, particularly those with limited or unpaved runways, remain underserved by conventional commercial operations. Herein lies the brilliance of the Twin Otter’s short take-off and landing (STOL) capability—an aircraft designed not to wait for infrastructure to catch up, but to go where other planes simply cannot.
With this LOI, IndiaOne Air takes a bold step toward realizing its goal of serving the remotest corners of the country, bringing faster, safer, and more reliable air travel options to regions often left beyond the reach of larger airlines. The Twin Otter 300-G will become a vital enabler for regional growth, tourism, emergency access, and economic revitalization. Each new route opened will mean greater accessibility to education, healthcare, and commerce for thousands of people, fulfilling the company’s inspiring motto: “Connecting the unconnected.”
The Twin Otter 300-G: A New Generation of a Proven Legend
Few aircraft in the world command the respect and admiration that the Twin Otter family does. For decades, these multi-mission airplanes have flown in climates and terrain ranging from Arctic ice fields to volcanic island strips, proving themselves among the most rugged and dependable aircraft ever built. The new Series 300-G represents the next evolution of this celebrated platform. Enhanced with state-of-the-art avionics, improved operational efficiency, and superior passenger comfort, it offers the perfect blend of heritage and innovation.
Its versatility and capabilities are precisely what IndiaOne Air needs as it expands to airports with shorter runways. The model redefines what it means to operate reliably in challenging environments—whether that be the mountain ranges of northern India, the coastal airstrips of the Andaman Islands, or developing regional hubs in the country’s interior. In aviation, reliability and adaptability are the cornerstones of success, and the Twin Otter 300-G delivers both with distinction.
Aligning with India’s National Aviation Ambitions
Beyond the immediate operational advantages, this partnership also signifies strong alignment with India’s national aviation policy and developmental vision. The Government of India’s UDAN (“Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik”) initiative seeks to democratize air travel, enabling citizens from all walks of life to access affordable regional flights. By selecting De Havilland’s Twin Otter 300-G, IndiaOne Air is directly contributing to this mission of equitable air access, while also supporting sustainable operations through efficient aircraft technology.
This collaboration has the potential to redefine the economics of regional air travel in India. Improved cost efficiency, coupled with the Twin Otter’s ability to operate in rugged terrain, reduces the need for extensive airport infrastructure—one of the most significant barriers to regional connectivity. As new routes open, they stimulate local industries, empower tourism, and create employment opportunities in areas long isolated from major urban centers.
A Testament to Global Partnership
For De Havilland Canada, this milestone represents both a commercial and symbolic success. The agreement reinforces the company’s distinguished legacy of creating aircraft that transcend borders and climates. De Havilland Canada’s aircraft have long been synonymous with endurance and excellence. Through this partnership, the company further solidifies its presence in one of the world’s most promising and dynamic aviation markets.
Ryan DeBrusk, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at De Havilland Canada, expressed immense pride in welcoming IndiaOne Air into the De Havilland family of operators. This sentiment encapsulates the spirit of collaboration and mutual growth that underpins this relationship. The trust placed in the Twin Otter 300-G by an ambitious and expanding airline like IndiaOne Air stands as evidence of the platform’s enduring value and proven performance.
The Canadian Legacy Takes Flight Over India
De Havilland Aircraft of Canada, with nearly a century of innovation, continues to anchor the Canadian aerospace industry. Each aircraft produced not only drives international excellence but also supports a skilled workforce committed to shaping aviation’s future—the company’s ethos—“Built in Canada. Made for the world.”—perfectly illustrates its global outlook. From firefighting missions in North America to search-and-rescue in the Arctic and humanitarian operations in Africa, De Havilland’s aircraft have earned their place as the world’s trusted wings. Now, this legacy extends further into India’s skies through the partnership with IndiaOne Air.
Building the Future Together
The announcement at the bustling Dubai Airshow was not merely a ceremonial handshake—it was a declaration of intent to redefine the future of regional aviation. As global ambitions converge with local needs, the partnership between De Havilland Canada and IndiaOne Air serves as a model of what international aviation cooperation can achieve. It embodies innovation, inclusivity, and sustained progress.
In an era increasingly defined by the need for resilience, connectivity, and sustainability, this agreement represents more than a business transaction—it symbolizes hope and opportunity. The Twin Otter 300-G will not only carry passengers across India’s skies; it will bring dreams, livelihoods, and a vision for a connected nation.
The journey ahead for both De Havilland Canada and IndiaOne Air is illuminated with promise. Their collaboration brings together Canadian excellence in aerospace manufacturing and Indian ambition in regional connectivity. As the first of these agile aircraft take to the skies, they will weave new threads into India’s transportation fabric, knitting together communities that were once worlds apart.
The partnership is a celebration of progress and a testament to how vision, technology, and a shared commitment to service can transform the world—one take-off at a time.
