ZeroAvia and RVL Aviation partner on hydrogen-electric Cessna Caravan flights in UK

LONDON - Aviation firm ZeroAvia in Hollister, Calif., announced that it has signed an agreement with RVL Aviation in Derby, U.K., to retrofit Cessna Grand Caravan 208B aircraft with its hydrogen-electric ZA600 powertrain. Following certification of the engine, airframe integration, and services, the aircraft will operate commercial flights within the British Isles. The ZA600 uses hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity for electric motors, with water as the only byproduct. 

"Today is a proud day for all of our team in our pursuit of a clean future of flight," said Val Miftakhov, founder and CEO of ZeroAvia. "We now have a confirmed launch operator with concrete plans to fly aircraft powered by the ZA600 engine."

RVL Aviation CEO Dave Connor said the agreement marks a significant step in the company’s sustainability efforts. "This is a genuinely exciting initiative," Connor said. "Sustainability is not a single action... This zero-emission initiative is a large step, and we look forward to operating the first scheduled commercial flights by this aircraft."

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RVL, based at East Midlands Airport, operates a fleet for government and private sector clients, providing services such as surveillance and airborne survey. It will lease the aircraft through zero-emission specialist MONTE.

Prototypes

ZeroAvia has already flight-tested a prototype ZA600 engine aboard a Dornier 228 at its UK site. The engine is currently under certification review by the UK Civil Aviation Authority. The company is also developing the larger ZA2000 powertrain for aircraft seating up to 80 passengers, including the ATR72 and Dash 8-400.

The companies said nearly 1,000 Cessna Caravan aircraft operating global cargo routes could eventually be retrofitted with the ZA600 system. Additional routes and aircraft may be added as technology and regulatory conditions allow.