Delta Air Lines announced on September 17, 2025, that it is partnering with Munich-based startup Maeve Aerospace to accelerate the development of a hybrid-electric regional airliner.
Founded in the Netherlands in 2021 before later relocating to Munich, Germany, Maeve Aerospace is developing the MAEVE Jet MJ 500, a hybrid-electric aircraft for between 75 and 100 passengers.
With the MAEVE Jet MJ 500, Maeve Aerospace aims to reduce fuel consumption by up to 40% on regional routes compared to traditional aircraft. This is thanks to its optimized wing design and the use of electric power during certain phases of the aircraft’s operations, particularly during low altitude stages of the flight.
Delta Air Lines is channeling this initiative through its Sustainable Skies Lab, which is its own in-house innovation program focused on decarbonization technologies. With this partnership, Maeve Aerospace joins other prominent startups, such as JetZero and Joby Aviation, with which Delta Air Lines has also partnered to develop novel and more sustainable flight technologies.
According to Delta, the US airline will provide operational expertise to further the development of the MAEVE Jet. So far, no additional details have been shared regarding the specifics of the collaboration and whether Delta Air Lines is also supporting Maeve Aerospace’s project financially.
Additional partnership with SkyWest
The announcement of the partnership with Delta Air Lines follows the signature of a similar agreement with SkyWest, one of the leading US regional carriers. SkyWest operates as a franchisee of several major US airlines, including Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and American Airlines, feeding their hub operations through an extensive network of regional air connections.
SkyWest will have exclusive launch customer rights to the MAEVE Jet. What’s more, the press release announcing the deal includes mention of the US carrier becoming an equity investor in Maeve Aerospace, although no specific figures have been disclosed.
As with the case of Delta Air Lines, SkyWest will also share its operational and design expertise with the German startup with a view to facilitating the development of the MAEVE Jet.
The SkyWest deal includes the participation of Maeve Aerospace’s long-standing strategic partner in North America, MHIRJ. This Montréal, Québec-based company was set up in 2020 by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) when it acquired the Bombardier’s CRJ regional jet program. Although the CRJ project was discontinued, MHIRJ has continued to provide engineering and consulting services to the aerospace industry, including Maeve Aerospace’s hybrid-electric regional aircraft program.
