By AeroMorning October 22nd, 2025

In a landmark move that underscores the advancing momentum in sustainable aviation, Canadian electric aircraft innovator Elysian Aircraft has signed a collaboration agreement with Dutch regional aircraft lessor TrueNoord. The deal, unveiled during the European Regions Airline Association (ERA) General Assembly in Estoril, Portugal, signals a deepening alignment between technology developers and financing/leasing experts in the push toward zero-emission flight. AviTrader Aviation News

Advancing the E9X Programme

At the heart of this partnership lies Elysian’s flagship project, the E9X – a next-generation electric aircraft designed for short-haul flights with zero emissions. The collaboration will focus on a series of strategic sessions aimed at critical commercial considerations: direct operating costs, residual values of the aircraft, and after-sales support models. TrueNoord’s experience in aircraft leasing and asset management will bolster the E9X’s value proposition beyond technical innovation. AviTrader Aviation News

Strengthening the Ecosystem

Daniel Rosen Jacobson, co-CEO and co-founder of Elysian Aircraft, emphasized the importance of ecosystem collaboration. “The future of aviation will not be built by technology alone, but by the strength of an ecosystem working together,” he said. He added that partnering with TrueNoord enables the E9X to “not only be technologically viable but also meet the commercial and financial expectations of the industry.” AviTrader Aviation News
From TrueNoord’s side, CEO Anne-Bart Tieleman welcomed Elysian into the company’s New Technology Hub, positioning lessors as “an essential part of the future technology aircraft ecosystem.” He noted that leasing solutions like those offered by TrueNoord can generate revenue for next-generation OEMs, enabling innovators such as Elysian to thrive and deliver value to investors. AviTrader Aviation News

Why This Matters

While many eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) and electric aircraft programmes focus on the technological leap itself, this agreement highlights the importance of commercialisation, asset management, and lifecycle economics. By aligning a manufacturer with a leasing partner early in the development phase, the risk profile for airlines and financiers can be reduced, and the path to market deployment accelerated.
Furthermore, as the aviation industry faces increasing pressure to decarbonise, the ability to bring zero-emission short-haul aircraft to airlines—and to package them in financially viable leasing models—will be a critical differentiator.

Looking Ahead

The collaboration between Elysian and TrueNoord marks a step toward industrialising electric aviation. The strategic sessions will map out key topics such as residual value modelling, leasing terms, support networks, and industry adoption. If successful, the E9X could emerge as a viable alternative for regional airlines and lessors seeking to decarbonise their fleets without compromising economics.
As both companies move forward, their joint efforts may also serve as a blueprint for other manufacturer-lessor alliances in the evolving landscape of sustainable aviation.