Engines
ZeroAvia Logs More Commitments for Hydrogen Conversions
Leasing group Rose Cay and Irish freight airline ASL both say they will convert twin-turboprop aircraft such as the ATR 72 to hydrogen-electric propulsion.
Leasing group Rose Cay says it intends to buy up to 250 used aircraft such as ATR regional airliners and convert them to ZeroAvia's hydrogen propulsion system. (Image: ZeroAvia)
Leasing group Rose Cay says it intends to buy up to 250 used aircraft such as ATR regional airliners and convert them to ZeroAvia's hydrogen propulsion system. (Image: ZeroAvia)

Asset management group Rose Cay Partners and Irish air freight carrier ASL plan to convert regional airliners to hydrogen propulsion in partnership with ZeroAvia. The commitments for ZeroAvia's plans to replace Jet A-burning twin turboprops with a hydrogen-electric powertrain came as part of a flurry of recent announcements made by the California-based start-up to coincide with the United Nations COP26 climate change conference in Scotland.

Delaware-based Rose Cay, which describes itself as a "real asset special situations investment platform," said it intends to acquire up to 250 preowned aircraft for conversion to hydrogen power and subsequent lease to operators. It did not specify which aircraft types it will market, but a publicity photo shows an ATR aircraft, and the company's declared goal of making first deliveries in 2024 coincides with ZeroAvia's plans to bring 19-seat airframes like the Dornier 228 into commercial service.