Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

German regional airline start-up Evia Aero has agreed to buy six of the hydrogen-electric powered versions of the Beech 1900D twin turboprop being developed by Australia’s Stralis Aircraft. Announced by the companies on May 14,&nbsp;the agreement covers options for another 10 of the Beech 1900D-HE model, for which the Hamburg-based operator will be the European launch customer.
Brisbane-based Stralis intends to retrofit 1900Ds with its proprietary propulsion system and start making deliveries in 2030. The aircraft will carry 15 passengers on flights of up to 432 nm at speeds of 270 knots operating at 20,000 feet. Evia Aero has committed to supporting the Stralis efforts to bring the modified commuter aircraft to market.
According to Stralis, its high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel-cell technology is lighter than existing alternatives. It claims this will allow aircraft to fly ten times further than those with battery-electric propulsion systems.
In Australia, Stralis is already testing its hybrid-electric propulsion system on the ground. It aims to start flying a six-seat technology demonstrator later this year.
<h2>Keeping Options Open</h2>
Evia Aero has previously made agreements with other companies working to decarbonize regional air services. In January 2025, it agreed to buy 15 of the hydrogen-powered versions of the nine-passenger Britten-Norman Islander aircraft being developed by the UK’s <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2025-01-14/evia-aero-confirms-order-hydrogen-powered-islander-aircraft">Cranfield Aerospace</a>.
In 2022, the operator signed a letter of intent with Eviation covering a possible purchase of 15 of its nine-seat battery-electric Alice aircraft. However, in February, the U.S. company paused work on this program, and it remains unclear how this will impact the timeline for type certification and the start of deliveries.
Evia Aero founder Florian Kruse told AIN&nbsp;that the company is purposely exploring several different aircraft for its planned regional services, while stressing that it will not consider launching operations with current turbine-powered aircraft. “We want to be an operator of sustainable aircraft, and we need ones that can be delivered, so we will wait for the right aircraft,” he explained.
Kruse said is making preparations to develop a network of scheduled services “all over Europe.” Operations might also extend to corporate shuttle services and weekend tourist charter flights.

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