FutureFlight
New German Airline Evia Aero Plans Hydrogen Islander Operations
The operator is joining Cranfield Aerospace Solutions' Project Fresson to develop supplemental type certificates to convert piston and turboprop aircraft to hydrogen power.
Britten-Norman Islander aircraft.
Cranfield Aerospace Services plans to convert nine-seat Britten-Norman Islander aircraft to hydrogen propulsion by 2025. (Image: Britten-Norman)

German start-up airline Evia Aero this week launched plans to start subregional scheduled flights in northern Europe using nine-seat Britten Norman Islander aircraft converted to hydrogen propulsion. In a June 16 announcement with Cranfield Aerospace Solutions (CAeS), the businesses said they will work together to implement the UK company’s plans for a hydrogen fuel cell conversion program for the aircraft.

The partnership will focus mainly on how the aircraft will be operated and the provision of hydrogen refueling infrastructure. The companies have not announced how many aircraft Evia Aero intends to acquire for its fleet, or on what terms, but they did say they aim to get the conversion approved for commercial service under a supplemental type certificate in 2025.