KLM and ZeroAvia Plan Zero-Emission Demonstration Flight Using Liquid Hydrogen

Our Bureau - : Jul 26, 2024 - : 3:49 am

ZeroAvia and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will work towards a demonstration flight using ZeroAvia’s ZA2000 zero-emission, hydrogen-electric engines for large regional turboprop. Hydrogen-electric engines use hydrogen in fuel cells to generate electricity, which is then used to power electric motors...

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ZeroAvia and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will work towards a demonstration flight using ZeroAvia’s ZA2000 zero-emission, hydrogen-electric engines for large regional turboprop.

Hydrogen-electric engines use hydrogen in fuel cells to generate electricity, which is then used to power electric motors to turn the aircraft’s propellers. The only emission is low-temperature water vapor, with studies therefore estimating an up to 90% reduction in climate impact when compared with typical kerosene-fueled flights.

The companies aim to conduct an initial A-to-B flight demonstration between two airport locations in 2026. As well as identifying the optimal airport pair, immediate workstreams will be working towards regulatory permits to fly and ensuring supply of liquid hydrogen fuel and putting in place the supporting infrastructure for aircraft fueling.

The maintenance divisions of KLM and Air France have already been working with ZeroAvia to build the knowledgebase for effective MRO operations for hydrogen fuel cell planes.

"The world’s largest airlines are diving in to explore hydrogen-electric as a potential solution with increasing seriousness," said James Peck, Chief Customer Officer, ZeroAvia." 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.”

“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," said Maarten Koopmans, Managing Director, KLM Cityhopper. "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."

ZeroAvia has already extensively tested a prototype of its first ZA600-engine aboard a Dornier 228 aircraft at its UK base. The company has also performed advanced ground tests in the US and UK for the key building block technologies for the ZA2000 system, including cryogenic tanks or LH2 and proprietary high-temperature PEM fuel cell and electric propulsion systems. ZA2000 will support up to 80 seat regional turboprop aircraft such as the ATR72 or the Dash 8 400.

Zeroavia / Hydrogen-electric-engine / Za2000 / Sustainability / Klm-royal-dutch-airlines /

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