It is exciting times for Denmark residents who desire 100 percent electric domestic flights, reports vaeridion.com. The Danish companies Copenhagen AirTaxi and Copenhagen Helicopter who are both based at Roskilde Airport* along with German aircraft manufacturer Vaeridion, have signed this week a cooperation agreement aimed at accelerating the green transition of regional aviation in the Nordic region. The aim is that by 2030 all Danish domestic flights will be electric-powered.
* Roskilde Airport, is officially known as Copenhagen Airport and is located four miles southeast of Roskilde near the town of Tune. It was opened in 1973 as the first of three planned relief airports around the city.
Ivor van Dartel, CEO and co-Founder of Vaeridion, commented, “We believe that the Nordic region will become the first in the world to implement this new form of air transport, made possible by the launch of our 100 percent electric Microliner aircraft. Alongside our partners, we have found the ideal collaboration to promote our transportation concept in the Nordic countries, starting in Denmark.“
Both Copenhagen AirTaxi and Copenhagen Helicopter will contribute their networks, extensive market knowledge and operational experience, while Vaeridion can provide cutting-edge flight technology.
The Microliner
: Passenger capacity: 9+ crew.
: Range: Up to 500 km.
: Battery Charging Time: 45 minutes.
: Take-off distance required: 800 metres.
: Ready for Commercial Operation, no later than 2030.
van Dartel continued, “To ensure an efficient development, we have first been developing the enabling technologies, such as the integrated battery-wing-box, within a conventional but highly optimised design of a fixed-wing airplane. In the next phase our engineers will work in close collaboration with Copenhagen AirTaxi, Copenhagen Helicopter and others, to incorporate the operator and passenger needs into the final design.”
Munich-based Vaeridion has made substantial progress in developing the all-electric 9+ seater Microliner. After being certified the aircraft will be used on shorter routes of up to 500 km.
Ivor van Dartel
Henrik Bendix, co-Founder and Chairman of Copenhagen Helicopter,nsays the Microliner will have a significant impact on people’s mobility and contribute to increasing cohesion within the Nordic countries. “Its introduction will encourage a development where people can live, work, and study more freely, while maintaining a good work/life balance. Additionally, it will remove a significant amount of CO2 from the roads and reduce the need to maintain and expand road infrastructure.“
At present, an annual 1.6 million passengers are transported via Denmark’s domestic air routes and the Microliner will play a key role in realising the Danish Government’s ambition for all flights to be fossil-free. The aim is to first trial the aircraft on Copenhagen Helicopter’s Læsø flight route.
It is believed that the Microliner could play a crucial role in the future of Mobility as a Service-based (MaaS) personal transport. MaaS involves a shift away from personally owned modes of transport towards mobility delivered as a service. Specifically, this means that people will be able to plan, book and pay for various mobility services in one digital solution.
Martin Winther Andersen, co-Founder and CEO of Copenhagen Helicopter, remarked, ”The new green aircraft type requires significantly shorter take-off and landing distances than traditional aircraft. This allows the use of smaller airfields that are no longer utilised for commercial routes.”
He continued, “These routes were abandoned as aircraft types gradually became larger. The Microliner can change that, allowing us to create a dense network of domestic routes again.” Adding, “Areas outside of airports and closer to urban centres could also be used as take-off and landing points.”
Vaeridion Microliner Cabin
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(Top image: Vaeridion Microliner Aircraft)