Daniel Rosen Jacobson (Elysian),
Jolanda Stevens (KLM)
and Oliver Newton (Transavia) ©
Elysian Aircraft
Schiphol, June 11, 2025 — Elysian Aircraft, KLM, and Transavia are launching a knowledge-sharing initiative today to accelerate battery-electric aviation development. In a series of joint workshops, the partners will explore technological, operational, and commercial requirements for deploying electric aircraft like Elysian’s E9X. This initiative marks a significant step toward emission-free aviation.
Elysian is developing the E9X, the first battery-electric aircraft designed to carry 90 passengers with a range of 800 kilometers. This technology promises cleaner and more efficient transportation, particularly for shorter flights between regional airports worldwide. According to Elysian, successful development requires more than technical innovation alone.
Elysian, KLM and Transavia join forces for the future of electric aviation
“It’s impossible to develop a commercially viable electric aircraft without working closely with airlines. KLM and Transavia bring invaluable knowledge about daily airline operations, technical standards and passenger expectations. Through structured knowledge-sharing workshops, we can jointly define the operating requirements for the E9X.” – Daniel Rosen Jacobson, Co-CEO, Elysian Aircraft
Transavia: electric aviation for short-haul routes
Transavia, which operates short-haul flights in Europe, was the first airline to join Elysian’s advisory board in 2024. The airline sees electric aviation as a strategic fit for its network.
“We constantly explore innovations that can help make aviation more sustainable. The E9X is designed for exactly the kind of routes we fly—short-haul, high-frequency destinations where passenger demand is too low to justify larger aircraft.” – Oliver Newton, Head of Strategy & Sustainability, Transavia
KLM: exploring the future with industry-wide impact
KLM acknowledges that emission-free flying cannot be achieved overnight. In collaboration with industry partners, the airline is researching flights powered by electricity, hydrogen, and hybrid fuels. Jolanda Stevens, Zero Emission Aviation Program Manager at KLM, has been a member of Elysian’s 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. Moreover, this collaboration enables us to envision how our sector can transform.” – Jolanda Stevens, Zero Emission Aviation Program Manager, KLM
A crucial element of this collaboration is pilot involvement, as they offer essential feedback on aircraft performance and energy consumption patterns.
“Pilots understand better than anyone what works and doesn’t work in an aircraft. For instance, having two different energy sources onboard requires an entirely different way of thinking about energy management.” – KLM
