Belgium and Netherlands-based operator and management company ASL Group is positioning to be a future operator of battery-electric microliners by working with Vaeridion, a developer of electric flight technology, aircraft design and analysis tools, to prepare for entry into service by the end of this decade. Together the companies are targeting electric flight in the short haul, four to nine seater aircraft segment.

"ASL Group aims to be at the forefront of sustainable aviation developments,” says CEO Philippe Bodson. “Among others, we were the first to operate fully electric Pipistrel training aircraft in Belgium, and we continuously look for ways to further reduce our ecological footprint. Our collaboration with Vaeridion will contribute to making electric flying a reality in an important segment of our business activity, namely short haul trips in the four to nine seater aircraft segment.”

“Today's business aviation sector is under large pressure to become more sustainable but has also always been an early adopter of new technology. We believe that business aviation will be among the first to adopt electric flight. Joining forces with one of Europe's leading business aviation operators, ASL Group, will enable us to bring the microliner design forward, leveraging ASL's operational know-how and understanding of the passenger's needs,” adds Vaeridion CEO Ivor van Dartel.

The foreseeable market size for eCTOL aircraft could range from 5,000 to 10,000 by 2040.