Two Antwerp aviation companies have ordered a total of 35 electric aircraft and plan to operate them from Deurne from 2030, according to Gazet van Antwerpen.
ASL Group has ordered ten electric aircraft from German manufacturer Vaeridion. The first is due to be delivered in 2030 and is expected to fly up to 400 kilometres quietly and without CO2 emissions.
The company already operates two very small electric aircraft from Slovenian firm Pipistrel at Deurne. Those aircraft can stay airborne for only 40 minutes and are used solely for pilot training in Antwerp.
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ASL chief executive Philippe Bodson said the new aircraft would depart from Deurne as well as other airports. The first planes will have room for nine passengers.
Bodson said ASL is targeting business travellers and other passengers who want to reach their destination quickly.
Flying Group, another Antwerp-based company, has ordered 25 electric aircraft from British manufacturer Vertical Aerospace. These are also expected to begin operating from Deurne in 2030.
Initially, those aircraft will have a range of 160 kilometres and space for six people on board. Chief executive Bernard Van Milders said they could, for example, be used to transport business travellers to airports as a quiet, environmentally friendly alternative to a helicopter.
Van Milders added that Flying Group also expects hybrid aircraft from Vertical Aerospace in the longer term, which would be able to fly much greater distances.
Deurne Airport is preparing to ensure it has sufficient charging capacity in place by 2030.
