Hydrogen-electric powertrain developer ZeroAvia and KLM have today announced at the Farnborough International Airshow that they will work jointly towards a demonstration flight of the ZA2000 engine on a large regional turboprop such as the ATR 72.
The two firms expect their first major milestone to be an initial A-to-B flight demonstration between two airports in 2026, and in the immediate term will work towards identifying suitable airport pairs and securing regulatory permits, whilst also ensuring a supply of liquid hydrogen fuel and presence of the infrastructure required to achieve this.
The collaboration provides the evidence base for adoption of emissions-free flights across KLM’s network, with it also expected to accelerate the development of concepts for hydrogen aircraft operations throughout the EU, in line with KLM’s aim of becoming a more sustainable airline.
KLM Cityhopper’s Managing Director, Maarten Koopmans, said that, “[We aim] 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.”
James Peck, Chief Customer Officer at ZeroAvia, added that, “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 rich history, as we look towards a clean future for the industry.”
This agreement is another major step for ZeroAvia, which yesterday announced an agreement with ASL Aviation Holdings for up to 20 ZA2000 engines.
Cianan Kelly entered the sphere of aviation journalism two years ago with his debut publication, Connecting the UK, which was met with acclaim by enthusiasts and industry professionals alike. He joined Fresh Aviation in late 2022 with the aim of contributing to high-quality aviation press and research, with a focus on sustainability and the regional aviation sector.