Aviation: E-aircraft manufacturer Vaeridion receives millions in funding from the EU

The Munich startup Vaeridion wants to start series production of its electrically powered propeller aircraft. And thus offer flights for the price of a first class train journey.

The “Microliner” electric aircraft: The start-up Vaeridion has already received orders for 130 machines. Photo: dpa

Frankfurt. The Munich-based electric aircraft manufacturer Vaeridion has secured 94.5 million euros in funding from the European Union (EU). The startup also announced on Thursday that it had increased its latest financing round by 30 million euros.

This means that the company will receive a total of more than 124 million euros. “With this round of financing we can build our first certification-compliant aircraft,” said Vaeridion founder and boss Ivor van Dartel. The EU funds would be used to set up series production.

The company has already received orders for 130 machines with a total value of more than 730 million euros. The first customer is the Belgian private jet rental company ASL.

Vaeridion is developing the “Microliner”, an electrically powered propeller aircraft with nine seats. Thanks to low operating costs, airlines should be able to offer connections for the price of a first-class train journey. The company is also planning a cargo version of the machine.

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