American Airlines has taken a significant step towards a sustainable future by agreeing to purchase 100 hydrogen-electric engines from ZeroAvia to convert its fleet of 70-seat Bombardier CRJ700 regional jets. This conditional sales agreement underscores the carrier's commitment to reducing carbon emissions and advancing green aviation technologies.
ZeroAvia is at the forefront of developing hydrogen-electric powertrains for aircraft. The company’s 2-megawatt ZA2000 engines, designed for aircraft seating up to 90 passengers, will be used for the CRJ700 conversions. These engines are expected to replace the aircraft’s existing GE Aerospace CF-34 turbofans, enhancing both environmental performance and operational efficiency.
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ZeroAvia is also working on the 600-kilowatt ZA600 engines for 20-seat regional aircraft, with plans to introduce the first units under supplemental type certificates (STC) in 2025, followed by the ZA2000 in 2027. The company, which opened a manufacturing site near Seattle in April, has already conducted flight tests for the ZA600 on a converted Dornier 228 aircraft.
In October 2021, ZeroAvia partnered with Mitsubishi’s Canada-based MHI RJ Aviation Group (MHIRJ) subsidiary to develop the STC for the CRJ700 conversions. Although MHIRJ initially hesitated to commit to the project, a definitive agreement was reached in May 2022, solidifying the collaboration.
American Airlines, which operates 61 CRJ700s through its regional affiliate PSA Airlines, is increasing its investment in ZeroAvia. The carrier first invested in the startup in 2022 and participated in its Series C funding round in November 2023. This recent funding boost follows the closure of Universal Hydrogen, ZeroAvia’s competitor, after failing to secure new investors.
American’s CEO, Robert Isom, emphasized the importance of this initiative: “Advancing the transition of commercial aviation to a low-carbon future requires investments in promising technologies, including alternate forms of propulsion. This announcement will help accelerate the development of technologies needed to power our industry and uphold our commitment to make American a sustainable airline so we can continue to deliver for customers for decades to come.”
ZeroAvia’s hydrogen-electric engines use hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity, which powers electric motors to turn the aircraft’s propellers. The company claims that the only emissions will be low-temperature water vapor, making this a highly sustainable propulsion method.
ZeroAvia aims to first convert a 19-seat regional airliner capable of routes up to 261 nautical miles using its ZA600 engines. The ZA2000 engines, using liquid hydrogen, are expected to support flights just over 600 nautical miles. The transition to hydrogen-powered engines is poised to significantly cut carbon emissions from regional aviation, paving the way for a greener future.
In December 2021, both United Airlines and Alaska Airlines invested $35 million in ZeroAvia. United secured rights to purchase up to 100 ZA2000 engines for its United Express regional jets, while Alaska plans to convert up to 50 of its 76-seat Dash 8 Q400 twin turboprops. ZeroAvia has also used a Dash 8 aircraft as a testbed for its propulsion system.
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American Airlines’ commitment to hydrogen-powered aircraft signifies a major milestone in the aviation industry’s journey towards sustainability. With ZeroAvia’s advanced hydrogen-electric engines, the future of regional aviation looks set to become significantly greener, meeting the growing demand for environmentally friendly travel options.
This move by American Airlines highlights the increasing importance of sustainable technologies in the aviation sector, setting a precedent for other airlines to follow.
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