Gregory Polek has spent his entire career in aviation journalism with AIN, starting as a proofreader and assistant to then-managing editor Mary Mahoney in 1995 after serving an internship with&nbsp;New Jersey Monthly&nbsp;magazine and completing his B.A. degree in English/Writing at New Jersey’s William Paterson College. By 1997 Polek accepted a position as an associate editor, covering the regional airline beat for&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;in place of retiring industry veteran Don Anderson. The assignment took Polek across North America and Europe to profile regional airlines varying in size and mission from the likes of floatplane operators Kenmore Air and Chalk’s Ocean Airways to regional jet operators such as SkyWest and American Eagle. Today, in his dual role as Air Transport Editor and International Airshow Editor, Polek writes, edits, and manages AIN’s commercial aviation content while overseeing each of the company’s daily international air show publications in Paris, Farnborough, Singapore, and Dubai. Most recently Polek has assumed oversight of daily coverage of the Helicopter Association International’s annual Heli-Expo convention.

Senior Editor

Gregory Polek

The burgeoning advanced air mobility business received a further boost this week with a pair of respective investment commitments from U.S. major airlines American and Delta in “green” hydrogen power and one of the industry’s most mature eVTOL projects.

 


American Airlines has made an equity investment in Universal Hydrogen, the California-based company building a green hydrogen distribution and logistics network for aviation.&nbsp;The October 10&nbsp;announcement follows an agreement in August under which the carrier provisionally agreed with Universal's competitor&nbsp;ZeroAvia&nbsp;to convert up to 100 regional jets with its hydrogen propulsion system.

 


Universal Hydrogen’s&nbsp;business plan&nbsp;involves a hydrogen fuel cell powertrain that it will use to convert regional airliners such as the de Havilland Dash 8 and ATR 72 twin turboprops. Its concept calls for the supply of green hydrogen to airports in capsules fitted directly into a compartment at the rear of the aircraft fuselage, eliminating the need for new fueling infrastructure and speeding fuel-loading operations. The company expects to fly its first hydrogen-powered Dash 8 by the end of this year.

 


Universal Hydrogen anticipates starting hydrogen deliveries for regional aircraft in 2025, followed by deliveries for&nbsp;larger, single-aisle aircraft, first for auxiliary power in the late-2020s and then as a primary fuel by the mid-2030s. It already has entered an agreement with startup U.S. regional carrier&nbsp;Connect Air.

 


“This technology has the potential to be a game-changer on the industry’s path to zero-emission flight,” said American Airlines chief financial officer Derek Kerr. “As the world’s largest airline, American has a responsibility to exercise leadership in making aviation sustainable. Our investment in Universal Hydrogen represents a vote of confidence for green hydrogen as a key element of a sustainable future for our industry.”&nbsp;

 


American joins Airbus Ventures, GE Aviation, Toyota Ventures, JetBlue Ventures, and several major hydrogen producers and aircraft lessors as strategic investors in Universal Hydrogen. It has not disclosed the dollar value of its investment in the company.

 


For its part, Delta Air Lines on Tuesday revealed plans to invest $60 million in eVTOL aircraft developer Joby as part of a deal expected to lead to the launch of what the companies call “home-to-airport transportation” for airline passengers. Plans call for Joby to operate services beginning in New York City and Los Angeles, giving Delta’s customers access to a “seamless booking” service.

 


Under an agreement, Delta will make a further $140 million investment in Joby subject to the program reaching further unspecified “milestones.” The partners did not say when services will begin, but Joby aims to complete FAA type certification for its aircraft in 2024.

 


Joby expects its aircraft to fly to a range of 150 miles at speeds up to 200 mph. The FAA has already granted the California-based company its&nbsp;G-1 (Stage 4) certification basis&nbsp;approval and a&nbsp;Part 135 air carrier certificate, which allows it to operate commercial flights.

 


“Delta is differentiating and amplifying the customer experience with premium products, choices, and solutions across the journey,” said Allison Ausband, the airline’s executive vice president and chief customer experience officer. “Addressing what matters to our customers is foundational to our focus, and our work with Joby is the latest in a series of ways we’re making the experience of travel more seamless, enjoyable, and wait-free.”

 


By comparison with rivals such as&nbsp;American Airlines,&nbsp;United Air Lines, and&nbsp;Virgin Atlantic, Delta until now remained relatively quiet about its intentions in the advanced air mobility sector. In March 2022, the carrier did sign a memorandum of understanding to participate in Airbus's plans to develop&nbsp;hydrogen-powered airliners&nbsp;by the mid-2030s.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

American Airlines, Delta Commit to Substantial AAM Investments

American Airlines has tendered an equity investment in Universal Hydrogen while Delta Air Lines said it would invest in Joby’s eVTOL project.  

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Curt Epstein

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Only the piston aircraft segment posted a decline

GAMA: Bizjets, T-props, and Rotorcraft Deliveries Up

Hanneke Weitering

Two captains held the prototype 33 feet above the water for 30 seconds

Regent Flies Electric Seaglider with Crew for First Time

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Icing approval would open year-round service to northern communities

Horizon Begins Icing Tests for Cavorite X7 eVTOL

Kerry Lynch

Deal to close this year

Bombardier To Grow Manufacturing Capacity with MHICA Buy

David Donald

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

The two NATO allies will purchase seven of the tanker/transport aircraft

Spain and Poland Agree to Buy A330MRTT Tanker Transports

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

GE Aerospace has tested the GE9X, Leap 1A, Leap 1B, and more with the 747.

GE Aerospace Flies Boeing 747 To Test New Engine Tech

Charles Alcock

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

More In Aircraft

GAMA: Bizjets, T-props, and Rotorcraft Deliveries Up

Only the piston aircraft segment posted a decline

Regent Flies Electric Seaglider with Crew for First Time

Two captains held the prototype 33 feet above the water for 30 seconds

Horizon Begins Icing Tests for Cavorite X7 eVTOL

Icing approval would open year-round service to northern communities

Bombardier To Grow Manufacturing Capacity with MHICA Buy

Deal to close this year

Spain and Poland Agree to Buy A330MRTT Tanker Transports

The two NATO allies will purchase seven of the tanker/transport aircraft

GE Aerospace Flies Boeing 747 To Test New Engine Tech

GE Aerospace has tested the GE9X, Leap 1A, Leap 1B, and more with the 747.

Helsinki Evaluates Hybrid-electric Flight Connections

City officials and a local university are working with manufacturer Electra

Zuri Prepares to Fly Hybrid-electric Cargo Drone

Platform offers 100 kilogram payload and 300 nm range

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN