The up-and-coming German aviation startup EVIA AERO came one step closer to making good on its promise of building a sustainable airline on Wednesday when it signed a letter of intent to purchase 25 fully electric aircraft from all-electric aircraft manufacturer Eviation. The airline is expected to use these aircraft to support its goal of offering regional travel between Germany, Denmark, Belgium, Austria, and the Netherlands. In doing so, it will be building a network that commuters and vacationers throughout Europe will enjoy.

A new competitor

A new addition to the European aviation industry, EVIA AERO aims to take on the likes of easyJet and Ryanair by revolutionizing travel within Europe through its fully electric fleet and its promise of a better flight experience. The airline is expected to service short-haul routes of up to 250 miles by 2027, with longer flights to further destinations to be added in the years to come.

The company's purchase of 25 Eviation aircraft marks a significant milestone in its journey as it starts to assemble its fleet. Though it is still in its early stages, its platform of sustainability and comfort could give it an edge over current airlines that fly gas-powered planes with only the most basic amenities, especially in their lower classes.

An electric future

Although it lacks the brand name and reputation that larger aircraft manufacturers like Airbus and Boeing pride themselves on, Eviation's offering is no less lucrative. Its Alice aircraft, which EVIA AERO has placed 25 orders for, is not only more sustainable than its gas-powered counterparts but also costs significantly less to operate. This makes it an attractive option for any airline. The craft is also substantially quieter than traditional planes because of the absence of an engine, giving it yet another advantage in terms of passenger comfort.

The Alice aircraft is also relatively new, having completed its first flight just over two weeks ago on September 27th. It seats up to nine passengers and is powered by an electric propulsion system that is more powerful and responsive than comparable gas-powered engines. As of the time of writing of this article, it remains the only flight-proven all-electric aircraft in its size class.

The newfound partnership between EVIA AERO and Eviation has some potentially serious implications for the future of aviation in Europe. It represents an agreement between an airline that seeks to reshape the European aviation industry by providing travelers with a more sustainable and comfortable option than they currently have for getting around Europe and an aircraft manufacturer that is pioneering technology that represents the future of air travel.

Looking ahead

However, the road ahead is long, and there are still a number of questions that remain unanswered about this partnership. For example, what price points will EVIA AERO serve? Are these price points in line with its competitors' offerings? Will customers be willing to pay a premium for sustainability and comfort if there is one? Will Eviation manufacture any aircraft that are able to support long-haul flights?

The answers to all of these questions and more will play a decisive role in determining the long-term viability of this partnership and, ultimately, whether there is a significant enough demand for sustainable and more comfortable travel at this time.

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