FutureFlight
New UK Airline Ecojet Agrees to Lease ZeroAvia's Hydrogen Propulsion Systems
The start-up plans to operate domestic flights with hydrogen-powered regional airliners.
Ecojet wants to operate hydrogen-powered regional airliners
Ecojet has not yet confirmed which 19-seat aircraft it may retrofit with ZeroAvia's hydrogen propulsion systems, but the Twin Otter would appear to be a candidate. (Image: Ecojet)

UK airline start-up Ecojet has agreed to launch services with leased hydrogen-powered aircraft using ZeroAvia’s fuel cell-based powertrains. In a deal announced Tuesday, the carrier, founded by renewable energy entrepreneur Dale Vince, said it will acquire 70 of ZeroAvia’s ZA600 propulsion systems through the manufacturer’s leasing partner, Monte.

Ecojet has yet to confirm what aircraft type it will operate or whether these will be acquired separately or via Monte. The 600-kilowatt ZA600 engines are intended for 19-seat regional aircraft like the Dornier 228, and ZeroAvia is aiming to secure its first supplemental type certificates for the planned retrofits in 2025.

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