KLM and Transavia Collaborate with Elysian to Innovate Battery-Electric Regional Aircraft

KLM and Transavia Partner with Elysian to Develop Battery-Electric Regional Aircraft and Ecosystems
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On June 16, 2025, Elysian, a rising Dutch manufacturer of electric aircraft, announced its partnership with KLM and its low-cost airline, Transavia, to advance the development of battery-powered planes for short-range operations. Elysian is working on the E9X, a 90-seat aircraft designed to travel up to 800 kilometers on a single charge.

The collaboration will focus on exploring the technological, operational, and commercial requirements for the aircraft. Preliminary design and component testing are slated for 2026, followed by flight testing and certification in 2030, with full-scale production and entry into service anticipated by 2033.

“It’s impossible to build an aircraft that truly breaks from industry conventions without intensive collaboration with operators and airports,” said Elysian Co-CEO and Chief Business Officer Daniel Rosen Jacobson at the 2025 Paris International Air Show, which highlights new zero-emission aircraft and powertrains. This partnership is characterized as a knowledge-sharing initiative, featuring joint workshops to examine all aspects of electric aviation, both on the ground and in the air, ensuring the successful introduction of next-generation regional fleets.

“This collaboration provides crucial insights from technical requirements to passenger experience and network integration, helping us determine the operational and economic viability of various destinations,” Jacobson explained. “It’s eye-opening that we can operate more sustainably and cost-effectively than trains, making busy routes like Amsterdam to London entirely feasible with electric flights.”

KLM has a long history of operating short-haul inter-city routes across Europe and the UK through its CityHopper subsidiary. The airline has previously been a key customer of the Dutch airframer Fokker, utilizing its F27 and F50 turboprops as well as F28, F70, and F100 regional jets. Currently, KLM is pursuing a range of initiatives, including the production and use of sustainable aviation fuel and the deployment of electric ground service equipment. As part of its Climate Action Plan, the airline has indicated the potential introduction of zero-emission aircraft in the mid-2030s to replace its smallest fossil-fueled planes.

“Together with industry partners, we are researching flights powered by electricity, hydrogen, and hybrid fuels,” said Jolanda Stevens, KLM’s Zero Emission Aviation Programme Manager, who has been a member of the Elysian aircraft advisory board since April 2024. “By gaining a deeper understanding of the aircraft’s design and operations, we can contribute our expertise to shape the final product. This collaboration also allows us to envision how our sector can transform.”

Transavia’s Lead in Sustainability and Innovation, Oliver Newton, expressed confidence in the electrification of short-haul flights, stating, “This represents a promising direction we firmly believe in. Through this collaboration, we can take concrete steps toward sustainable air transport while ensuring commercial and operational feasibility. Connecting technical innovations with customer service and cost considerations is a challenge, but we’re fully committed to this effort.”

Elysian touts its E9X as “the world’s first large-scale battery electric aircraft,” a bold claim given the challenges faced by other electric plane concepts, including issues with current battery systems and lengthy certification processes. The initial design features eight wing-mounted electric engines, each equipped with five-blade propellers. The E9X is intended to accommodate up to 90 passengers and achieve a range of 800 kilometers on a single charge. Additionally, Elysian is developing a longer-range version capable of flying up to 1,000 kilometers, allowing for one-stop journeys of up to 2,000 kilometers.

In the coming months, KLM, Transavia, and Elysian will conduct studies on use cases, route analyses, and passenger propositions for the E9X, expressing a joint ambition “not only to build a more sustainable aircraft but to design a complete ecosystem around it.” The partnership includes reputable collaborators such as Fokker Services Group, the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre, the German aviation research group DLR, Delft University of Technology, and Dutch investment group Panta Holdings. Elysian’s supervisory and advisory board also features leaders from Fokker Services, Eindhoven Airport, Air Traffic Control Netherlands, and former executives from the Dutch National Rail Service and Tesla.

Among Elysian’s competitors is another Dutch regional aircraft startup, Maeve, which has recently unveiled preliminary plans for the Maeve Jet, a hybrid-electric regional aircraft that can seat up to 95 passengers and claims to consume 40% less fuel than current regional jets. Maeve had previously proposed an 80-seat hybrid-electric turboprop and a 44-seat version, with more details about the jet to be announced soon.