VÆRIDION Completes Second EASA PAC, Leading Certification for High-Voltage Electric Aircraft Systems with GKN Aerospace

• VÆRIDION, in collaboration with GKN Aerospace, successfully completes its second Pre-Application Contract with EASA, advancing certification approach for high-voltage systems
• The work establishes one of the first certification approaches for High-Voltage EWIS in the CS-23 Level 3 category
• Completion of both EASA PACs significantly further de-risks the Microliner’s certification pathway and marks another key milestone towards entry into service by 2030

Farnborough, July 22, 2026 – VÆRIDION, an all-electric aircraft manufacturer, today announced the successful completion of its second Pre-Application Contract (PAC) with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), marking another major milestone on the path to certification.

The completion of the PAC places VÆRIDION among the industry’s frontrunners in bringing certifiable high-voltage electric systems to market. Working alongside EASA and GKN Aerospace, the company has established the certification basis for some of the Microliner’s most novel technologies and helped define how future battery-electric aircraft can be certified under European regulations.

Throughout the PAC, VÆRIDION and EASA addressed the key certification aspects associated with the Microliner’s novel electrical storage, High Voltage Electrical Wiring Systems (HV-EWIS) and power distribution architecture. The viability of the proposed certification approach was confirmed, subject to the completion of the required testing, validation and formal compliance demonstration in the subsequent certification phases.

“Certification is built on early technical alignment, and this work confirms that our approach to high-voltage energy storage, power distribution and EWIS is on the right path,” said Markus Kochs-Kämper, CTO of VÆRIDION. ” Together with GKN Aerospace and EASA, we have established a robust certification framework that not only supports the Microliner, our 9-seat passenger and freighter aircraft, but also contributes to the future certification of high-voltage electric aircraft across the CS-23 category.”

The second PAC was carried out in close collaboration with GKN Aerospace, a global multi-technology leader in the aerospace industry. This achievement builds on a two-year technical partnership between VÆRIDION and GKN Aerospace, during which both companies have jointly matured electrical systems design and certification strategy. Together, they developed one of the first certification approaches for HV-EWIS in the CS-23 level 3 category, combining VÆRIDION’s expertise in electric propulsion with GKN’s longstanding leadership in aircraft EWIS.

Enrique Alatorre, SVP EWIS of GKN Aerospace said: “GKN Aerospace has been investing in High Voltage EWIS technology for many years, with the clear objective of enabling certifiable solutions for the next generation of aircraft. Establishing this certification pathway together with VÆRIDION and GKN Aerospace’s team in the Netherlands is an important milestone for our industry. We are proud to have worked alongside EASA and VÆRIDION on this journey and look forward to continuing our support for VÆRIDION’s innovative and sustainable Microliner programme.”

The achievement follows VÆRIDION’s first EASA PAC completed in 2024, which established the certification approach for the Microliner’s distributed electric propulsion architecture. Together, the two PACs address the aircraft’s two main novel technology areas requiring dedicated certification alignment. By aligning the certification approach early on, VÆRIDION has further de-risked the Microliner’s certification path and laid the technical and regulatory groundwork for the next stages of development toward type certification and planned entry into service by 2030.

Beyond supporting the Microliner programme, this PAC establishes a reference framework for future CS-23 Level 3 certification projects involving high-voltage power distribution systems, contributing to the broader evolution of acceptable means of compliance for electric aviation.

Media contact: pr@vaeridion.com

About VÆRIDION

VÆRIDION is transforming regional air travel with the Microliner, a 100% electric aircraft designed to provide sustainable and cost-efficient air transport. Serving both passenger and cargo missions, the aircraft is intended for scheduled, semi-scheduled and charter operations, enabling flexible deployment across a broad spectrum of mobility and logistics use cases. Headquartered in Munich, with subsidiaries in Delft and Brussels, VÆRIDION is developing an aircraft that carries up to 9 passengers or 10m3 of cargo over 400 km under IFR conditions, meeting the operational, economical and sustainability goals of operators. The clean-sheet design features a glider-inspired wing with integrated modular batteries, and a multi-engine, single-propeller propulsion system. The result? The most energy efficient aircraft in its class. No science fiction, just real, achievable, zero-emission travel by 2030. vaeridion.com

About GKN Aerospace

GKN Aerospace is a global multi-technology leader in the aerospace industry, specialising in the development and delivery of cutting-edge aerostructures and engine systems. Their unrivalled products, systems, and services are integral to 90% of today’s commercial and defence aircraft ranging from helicopters, business jets, passenger planes and advanced air mobility vehicles to state-of-the-art fighter aircraft.

GKN’s commitment to innovation and cutting-edge technology is evident in the application of lightweight composites, additive fabrication, electrical wiring interconnection systems, and groundbreaking engine systems, reducing both weight and cost in today’s aircraft and engines. GKN Aerospace is at the forefront of sustainable technology, developing breakthrough solutions to achieve emission-free flight. GKN’s global technology centres collaborate with industry partners around the world to accelerate the development of pioneering technologies, including hydrogen-powered propulsion and all-electric flight.

Operating in 12 countries, GKN Aerospace employs a workforce of 16,000 employees across more than 30 locations. GKN Aerospace has global sales of £3.6bn and is listed under its parent company name Melrose Industries PLC (LSE:MRO).