The European Investment Bank (EIB) is propelling the future of green aviation by backing VÆRIDION, a German startup developing the “Microliner”—a fully electric, nine-seat aircraft designed for short-haul regional flights.
Under its Innovation Fund Project Development Assistance (IFPDA) programme, the EIB’s advisory team will help VÆRIDION transition from a promising prototype to a mass-producible, bankable industrial asset. This support will focus on refining the company’s business plan, risk management, and funding strategy to attract private and public investment.
VÆRIDION, headquartered in Munich with a subsidiary in Delft, aims to revolutionize regional connectivity. The Microliner is engineered to serve routes up to 400 kilometers, offering zero-emission flights (no CO2, NOx, or contrails) with significantly reduced noise. By utilizing Europe’s existing network of 2,300 regional airports, the company plans to reconnect mid-sized cities, islands, and rural areas currently underserved by high-speed rail or roads.
“Electric regional aircraft can transform how people move between smaller cities and regions—not in 2050, but within the next decade,” stated Ivor van Dartel, CEO and Co-founder of VÆRIDION. He emphasized that the EIB’s expertise is crucial for turning their technology into a scalable industrial reality.
The company plans to establish a manufacturing site at Oberpfaffenhofen Airport in Germany to produce its proprietary battery systems. With a target first flight in 2027 and entry into service by 2030, VÆRIDION is positioning the Microliner to decarbonize a significant portion of today’s short-haul turboprop routes, making sustainable regional air travel a near-term reality.
