en.Wedoany.com Reported - German electric aircraft manufacturer Vaeridion announced that its nine-seat Microliner has accumulated over 100 booking commitments and has passed the Preliminary Design Review (PDR), laying the groundwork for its planned first flight target in mid-2028.

Six new customers—including Czech business aviation operator ABS Jets, Avanti Air, Copenhagen Helicopter, E-Flight Academy, as well as a European lessor and an Irish entity (both unnamed)—have recently signed letters of intent for passenger or cargo variants of the Microliner. Belgian ASL Group, the launch customer, committed to purchasing 10 aircraft last June.

Vaeridion CEO Ivor van Dartel stated at the ILA Berlin Air Show that completing the Preliminary Design Review while surpassing 100 commitments marks the company's most significant year to date, demonstrating market demand and technological readiness.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) announced earlier this week that it will evaluate Vaeridion's advanced battery pack technology for its current and future platforms.

Vaeridion inaugurated a new battery factory in Oberpfaffenhofen in March, acquiring equipment left behind after Lilium's bankruptcy and reaching a lease agreement with the building owner. The factory will supply battery technology for both the Microliner project and other manufacturers to diversify revenue streams.

These developments come amid broader challenges in the European electric aviation sector, including Lilium, Volocopter, Dutch regional aircraft designer Maeve, and France's VoltAero all entering insolvency within the past 18 months, while fellow startup ZeroAvia is undergoing financial restructuring and facing an uncertain future.

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