9 April 2025
The first of 12 Elixir aircraft for training professional pilots was handed over to Egnatia Aviation, an Approved Training Organisation (ATO) at AERO Friedrichshafen today.
Egnatia Aviation is based at Kavala-Amygdaleon Airport in Greece and is expecting six of the new French two-seaters this year, with a second batch of six to follow in 2026.
The aircraft, in the livery of its new operator and of aircraft leasing company Green Aerolease, was flown from Elixir’s base at La Rochelle Airport, France to Friedrichshafen. It will be flown direct to its new based in Greece after the show.
“We’re delighted to take delivery of our first Elixir at the Aero Friedrichshafen air show,” said Dimitris Lymperakis, President of Egnatia Aviation.
“This aircraft meets our operational needs perfectly, as it will give our cadets the same flying experience as that which awaits them in their careers as professional pilots.”
Handover of the keys to the first Elixir for Egnatia Aviation by Cyril Champenois, Head of Sales of Elixir Aircraft, to Dimitris Lymperakis, CEO of Egnatia, in the presence of Charles Cabillic, President of Green Aerolease and Guillaume Abéguilé, Chief Operating Officer of Green Aerolease. Photo: Elixir
Elixir said it has delivered 33 aircraft so far, with 70% going to flight schools. Production of the ‘one-shot’ carbon fibre aircraft is currently at 2 to 3 aircraft per month, which Elixir plans to increase to 8 per month in its current premises. A new, much bigger, facility is under construction which will allow further expansion.
Cyril Champenois, co-founder and Head of Sales of Elixir Aircraft, said the company, which started in 2015 with three people working in a shed, is now up to 191 employees and has an order backlog covering more than 18 months of production.
Priorities include expanding production, certifying the IFR model and obtaining FAA certification this year, and developing a turbine-powered version using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The bigger Rotax 915 engined model is currently on the backburner until those objectives are met.
