ASL has placed an aircraft order with VÆRIDION, pioneering sustainable regional aviation

Partnership

24/04/25

24/04/2025 - ASL has placed an aircraft order with VÆRIDION, making it effectively the launch customer for this revolutionary new aircraft expected to enter service as of 2030.

“A zero-emission commercial electrical microliner optimized for energy-efficient flight with innovative technologies.”

VÆRIDION is making significant strides in developing zero- emission electric aircraft for commercial aviation, positioning itself at the forefront of sustainable air travel innovation. The Munich- based startup has secured substantial funding and partnerships to develop its flagship "Microliner" - a battery-electric aircraft designed specifically for regional routes, promising to revolutionize short-haul travel with emission-free flight technology by the end of this decade.

ASL and VÆRIDION go way back and signed a cooperation agreement already in Summer 2023. As a business jet operator also active in the field of semi-scheduled flights, ASL sees great potential in VÆRIDION Ìs aircraft, both from an economic and sustainability perspective. For these reasons, ASL has placed in Spring 2025 an aircraft order with VÆRIDION, making it effectively the launch customer for this revolutionary new aircraft expected to enter service as of 2030.

“The VÆRIDION Microliner is a nine-passenger aircraft
designed to cover distances of approximately 400-500 kilometers,
making it ideal for regional travel where traditional combustion-engine
aircraft currently dominate.”

The VÆRIDION Microliner: Engineering an Electric Aviation Breakthrough

The VÆRIDION Microliner is a nine-passenger aircraft designed to cover distances of approximately 400-500 kilometers, making it ideal for regional travel where traditional combustion-engine aircraft currently dominate, with around 15,000 small aircraft currently serving this segment. The aircraft represents a first in its class: a zero-emission commercial electrical aircraft optimized for energy-efficient flight with innovative technologies including wing- integrated battery modules and an electrical multi-engine single propeller powerplant. As battery technology evolves, VÆRIDION expects to extend the range further, potentially enabling pan- European connectivity with zero emissions. Also setting the Microliner apart is its aerodynamic design inspired by gliders, with batteries integrated into the wings rather than the fuselage—a strategic engineering decision that optimizes structural weight and maximizes range potential. This approach differs from conventional aircraft configurations and delivers what the company claims is the highest level of energy efficiency in its class without compromising safety or comfort. VÆRIDION has marked a major milestone as the first General Aviation company to finalize a Pre-Application Contract with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), gaining a strategic advantage in the complex and critical aircraft certification process.

Market Strategy and Business Model

VÆRIDION is targeting a substantial market opportunity: almost a third of flights in the EU covers distances of 500km or less. Through its order of VÆRIDION aircraft, ASL is poised to be at the forefront in this promising new segment. Initially focusing on business passengers, the ASL Group plans to expand into consumer travel and scheduled flights as the technology matures. According to Johan Maertens, Co-CEO of ASL Group, the Microliner has the potential to create a new way of travel, fast yet emission-free, and becoming more affordable over time as economies of scale will kick in. The Microliner will also give a new lease of life to many airports that are currently underserved and that are looking for ways to grow their business in an environmentally friendly way.

Horizon 2030

As such, VÆRIDION has secured another round of funding in late 2024, bringing it substantially closer to prototype flights in 2027 and an effective entry into service by 2030. Undoubtedly, orders by airlines such as ASL will further investor confidence in the aircraft, allowing VÆRIDION to bring the Microliner effectively to market.

The Future of Regional Air Travel

The Microliner will facilitate connections between large and regional airports and smaller airfields that have been underutilized until now, providing better access to regions without direct connections to highways or high-speed trains. VÆRIDION believes that airlines could replace a 50-seater aircraft that flies once daily with multiple nine-seaters that fly several times a day, increasing service frequency and flexibility. The Microliner would be more environmentally friendly even than electric cars, and even more so than a train if the huge rail network infrastructure costs are considered.