Cotswolds-based aircraft developer, ZeroAvia, has signed an agreement with newly launched airline, Ecojet, for the supply of up to 70 of its hydrogen-electric engines.
The airline, which was created by Ecotricity founder, Dale Vince, plans to begin operations in 2024 with typically-powered aircraft flying routes to and from Edinburgh, before gradually converting its fleet into what is proposed to be the world’s first zero-emission, electric airline.
Once fully certified, the newly converted fleet will utilise ZeroAvia’s ZA600 engines, with support coming from MONTE, ZeroAvia’s nominated ZA600 lessor partner. Type certification is expected to be achieved in 2025.
Val Miftakhov, Founder and CEO, ZeroAvia said:, said:Clean aviation will mean increased regional air travel and new routes, Ecojet can capitalize based on their clear focus on low-emission travel. The UK Government’s Jet Zero Strategy has set a great example for the world to follow, but the UK can go much further by being early to act and introducing some of the first zero-emission routes in the world.
Ecojet has also placed a significant order for ZeroAvia’s ZA2000, a more powerful engine designed for regional turboprops of up to 80 seats, targeting a certification date of 2027.
ZeroAvia, Ecojet and MONTE plan to work together to identify further hydrogen-electric commercial operations around the country as part of their partnership going forward.
Dale Vince, Founder, EcoJet, said:We don’t have to give up flying to live a green lifestyle or to get to net zero as a country – and this is big news. The technology is here now and the planes are coming very soon – carbon free, guilt free flying is just around the corner. And although aviation is responsible for only a small part of all global emissions, it occupies a far bigger space than that in our psyche. The hearts and minds value of this new opportunity outweighs the carbon issue significantly.
It shows that everything we need to do, can be done, with a low to zero carbon footprint. And that is big news and a big encouragement to us all.
