Vaeridion and Deutsche Aircraft Team Up on Sustainable Regional Aviation
- VÆRIDION and Deutsche Aircraft have signed an MoU to accelerate sustainable regional aviation.
- The partnership covers battery flight testing on the D328® UpLift test bed, alongside collaboration in structural design, industrialisation, and aircraft testing.
- By combining complementary strengths, the two companies aim to advance innovation while reinforcing Bavaria’s role as a hub for clean aviation.
Vaeridion GmbH and Deutsche Aircraft GmbH have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on research, technology, and development with a focus on advancing sustainable regional flight.
The agreement brings together two different but complementary approaches: Vaeridion with its unique CS23 all-electric Microliner—a cost-effective, short-haul commuter aircraft for nine passengers—and Deutsche Aircraft, the D328 TC-holder and CS25 OEM, currently advancing the 40-seat D328eco®, a 100% SAF-ready regional aircraft.
Photo: DLR
Under the MoU, Deutsche Aircraft will support Vaeridion in testing advanced battery technology on the German Aerospace Center’s (DLR) UpLift flying test bed (D-CUPL).
The company will also contribute its expertise in structural design, industrialisation, and aircraft testing to help accelerate the Microliner programme.
Under the MoU, Deutsche Aircraft will support Vaeridion in testing advanced battery technology using the German Aerospace Center’s (DLR) UpLift flying test bed (D-CUPL). The company will also share its know-how in structural design, industrialisation, and aircraft testing to help accelerate the Microliner programme.
“This MoU marks a pivotal moment in our journey toward emission-free regional flights,” said Markus Kochs-Kämper, CTO and Managing Director of VÆRIDION. “By uniting our technological expertise with Deutsche Aircraft’s long-standing engineering excellence and design quality, we aim to accelerate the Microliner programme and provide sustainable, cost-effective air travel solutions to underserved markets in Europe and beyond.”
Frederic Fischer, Head of R&T at Deutsche Aircraft, added: “We are proud to collaborate with VÆRIDION in shaping the future of regional aviation. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to innovation, sustainability, and the transformation of air mobility.”
Both companies are headquartered in the greater Munich area, with a presence at the AirTech Campus in Oberpfaffenhofen, reinforcing Bavaria’s reputation as a hub for aerospace innovation.
The Bigger Picture
A Complementary Path to Sustainable Regional Flight
While the MoU underscores Vaeridion’s ambition to bring its all-electric Microliner to market, it also reflects a wider strategic play for Deutsche Aircraft. By engaging with the start-up, the company strengthens its involvement in battery system flight testing for electric aircraft, at a time when its own D328eco is advancing as a 40-seat, SAF-ready regional aircraft. This dual exposure positions Deutsche Aircraft at the intersection of today’s practical solutions and tomorrow’s emerging technologies.
The collaboration also leverages Germany’s broader aerospace ecosystem. Vaeridion’s advanced battery systems will undergo flight testing on the German Aerospace Centre’s D328® UpLift (D-CUPL) platform, with Deutsche Aircraft lending its expertise to the programme. This step embeds the partnership within established national research infrastructure, providing both companies with access to proven test capabilities and accelerating progress from the lab to real-world application.
The Microliner and the D328eco, meanwhile, serve distinct segments of regional aviation: the former is designed for short commuter routes with nine passengers, while the latter is aimed at higher-capacity regional sectors.
Rather than overlapping, the two designs complement each other, pointing to a future where airlines may deploy both to restore connectivity across varied route lengths and demand profiles.
For the wider ecosystem, the agreement reinforces Bavaria’s role as a hub for aerospace innovation. With both companies based in Oberpfaffenhofen, the partnership demonstrates how regional collaborations can contribute to Europe’s broader sustainability roadmap—linking advanced research, certification pathways, and industrial expertise to the shared goal of reducing emissions in flight.
Also Read: Deutsche Aircraft and DLR Successfully Complete Ground Vibration Test on D328® UpLift Demonstrator
