British Airways has announced a new partnership with ZeroAvia, one of the pioneers of zero-carbon aviation. The joint project is a major step towards scaling hydrogen-powered aircraft for use in commercial air travel.
As part of Hangar 51 tech accelerator programme run by BA’s parent company, the project will look at the application of ZeroAvia’s zero emissions technology – the aviation pioneers recently completed the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell powered flight of a commercial-grade aircraft. The project will focus on the environmental advantages, but also the operational, commercial and customer experience aspects of future zero carbon flight.
ZeroAvia began developing its hydrogen-fuelled electric powertrain in California. SYSTEMIQ was one of its first strategic partners, and in 2019 was instrumental in securing a £2.7 million government grant for the company to establish a base in the UK. SYSTEMIQ partner Irena Spazzapan called today’s announcement ‘a big moment for global aviation, with green hydrogen moving to the core of one of the world’s largest airlines”.
The company aims to commercialise hydrogen-electric power for aircraft as early as 2023, initially offering flights of up to 500 miles in up to 20-seater aircraft. Based on industry figures from recent years, short-range air travel has accounted for nearly half of all commercial flights worldwide: zero-emission aircraft, flying point-to-point to existing smaller airports, could revolutionise operating models as well as reducing the industry’s GHG emissions.
Sergey Kiselev, ZeroAvia’s Head of Europe, said: “ZeroAvia’s mission is to accelerate the world’s transition to truly zero emissions flight and we believe hydrogen is the best way to quickly and practically achieve this. Earlier this year, we proved that passengers will soon be able to board an emissions free, hydrogen-powered aircraft for commercial services. In the years to come, we will scale that technology up to power larger aircraft over longer distances.”
