ZeroAvia has reached an agreement with UK-based AGS Airports for the development of hydrogen fuel infrastructure and launch of zero-emission routes.
The partnership will also look into regulatory framework requirements and resourcing needed to deliver zero-emission flights from Aberdeen and Glasgow airports.
To evaluate the opportunities for hydrogen production onsite and explore potential commercial routes, the AGS team will work with ZeroAvia’s specialist airport infrastructure team.
Using some routes by aircraft powered by ZeroAvia’s hydrogen-electric powertrain is expected to enable AGS Airports significantly cut down Scope 3 carbon emissions, as well as lower noise and air quality impacts locally.
AGS will also study the use of hydrogen for the removal of emissions across ground operations.
Both the entities will work together to conduct a flight demonstration powered by ZeroAvia’s ZA600 600kW hydrogen-electric engine, which is on a path towards certification by 2025.
Expected to be flight tested for the first time in a 19-seat Dornier 228, the ZA600 is designed to power 9-19 seat aircraft up to 300 nautical miles.
Later, commercial routes will be launched from Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow.
Zero-emission route flights is expected to help better connect Scotland’s key cities to remote areas in the highlands and islands, in addition to other parts of the UK in the coming few years.
AGS Airports CEO Derek Provan said: “The development of hydrogen powered aircraft has the potential to completely revolutionise aviation and it is becoming an increasingly viable option for regional and short-haul aircraft.
“As a regional airport group serving the Highlands and Islands of Scotland as well as the Channel Islands from Southampton, AGS will be the perfect testbed for hydrogen flight.”
