ZeroAvia, the zero-emission aviation engine pioneer, has struck a deal with Skelleftea Airport in North East Sweden, as well as municipal energy company Skelleftea Kraft and Braathens Regional Airlines (BRA) to develop commercial routes using its hydrogen-electric powertrain systems.
In conjunction with all partners, Skelleftea Airport will investigate the operational infrastructure required to support the hydrogen-powered flights and opportunities for further decarbonisation presented by green hydrogen.
Robert Lindberg, CEO Skelleftea Airport commented: “We see an increasing travel demand in the northern part of all Nordic countries. If we manage to test, develop and commercialise hydrogen aviation solutions in Skelleftea, we can help increase regional connectivity in truly sustainable way.”
BRA, which currently operates routes across Sweden, Finland and Denmark on its ATR-72 aircraft, will provide aircraft for future demonstrations and to explore commercial routes with all partners collaborating to examine the potential for operating a range of regional aircraft on commercial passenger routes using both ZeroAvia’s ZA600 powertrain, designed for 9-19 seat aircraft with a 2025 launch target and its ZA2000, designed for 40-80 seat aircraft (such as ATR and Dash 8 families), with a plan for entry into service by 2027.
Commenting on the decision to collaborate with partners in Sweden, James Peck, Chief Customer Officer at ZeroAvia said: “Sweden is one of the most ambitious countries in the world in pursuit of net zero targets for aviation, with an overall fossil fuel-free aspiration by 2045 and planning for all domestic flights to be fossil free by 2030. Aviation will become a larger proportion of emissions as other sectors abate, so the country will need to see true zero emission air travel that goes beyond combustion fuels. Bold projects such as the one planned for Skelleftea are crucial in this endeavour.”
ZeroAvia is already working with Rotterdam The Hague Airport in the Netherlands, Edmonton International Airport in Canada and AGS and Birmingham Airports in the UK to introduce its zero-emission propulsion technology on regional routes over the next few years.
