Tue, Jul 30, 2024
Testing Will Bear Out the Utility of Sustainable Flight for Regional Flights in Home Market
ZeroAvia has announced an upcoming demo flight using one of their ZA2000 hydrogen-electric engines using an aircraft from KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.
The collaboration will go to prove the viability of converting some of major carriers' small regional turboprops away from their current Jet-A burning units to something cleaner, like ZeroAvia's hydrogen-munching mills. When using hydrogen as fuel, the only emissions byproduct produced is good old water, eliminating all the carbon and nitrogen that gains operators a side eye from their government's regulators. ZeroAvia hopes to be able to pull off a demonstration flight between two airport locations some time in 2026, proving just how ready the ZA2000 is for showtime with a close approximation of an average regional airline's revenue flight.
For now, planning is focused on finding a good airport pair, getting the regulatory permits to fly with the unorthodox powerplant, and ensuring the supply of appropriate liquid hydrogen fuel along the route.
James Peck, Chief Customer Officer at ZeroAvia, said they were excited to jump in with both feet. “The world’s largest airlines are diving in to explore hydrogen-electric as a potential solution with increasing seriousness. We can’t wait to work with KLM, being an airline with such a rich history, as we look towards a clean future for the industry.”
Maarten Koopmans, Managing Director of KLM Cityhopper, KLM Royal Dutch's regional subsidiary, said the test flight would be a solid way to show how far the company has progressed in its environmental aims. “KLM aims to be a front-runner in the journey towards a more sustainable future in aviation. That's why we actively support and encourage innovation to drive industry change. When it comes to the future of zero-emission flights, KLM supports various technologies and innovations simultaneously. Together with our sector partners, we are conducting research on electric, hydrogen, and hybrid-powered flights and exploring ways to expedite these advancements."
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