ZeroAvia and Flyv partner on clean on-demand flight
Courtesy ZeroAvia / credit Oliver Kay
Flyv aims to tackle the limitations of conventional travel systems, under strain from escalating demand across many modalities. At the same time, many smaller airfields are under-utilised. As new cleaner technologies reduce the operating costs, an increase in services is feasible.
Flyv plans to use AI to match demand and availability to enable flexible booking for passengers. The company will operate small aircraft carrying around 10 passengers and is exploring existing aircraft in service and novel zero-emission designs.
ZeroAvia is advancing in its efforts to certify a 600kW (ZA600) hydrogen-electric engine capable of powering nine-19 seat aircraft with fuel cell power only. The company plans entry-in-service of ZA600 in around two years’ time.
As part of the agreement, ZeroAvia and flyv will explore regional air mobility networks across Europe, exploring the potential economic and passenger benefits of introducing fuel cell-powered flight.
James Peck, Chief Customer Officer, ZeroAvia, said: “Flying can be the cleanest, quickest and cheapest way to travel in the near future given the rapid progress of zero-emission propulsion technology. It’s exciting to work with an innovative start-up airline like flyv that is rethinking the status quo to extend the benefits of flying.”
Anton Lutz, Co-Founder flyvbird, said: “As a low-cost, on-demand airline, we are proactively analyzing how to enhance efficiency and operational stability in a rapidly evolving world. With policies across the EU steadily making operating fossil fuel flight more costly and difficult, it is crucial for us to align with partners like ZeroAvia today, to prepare for a truly sustainable future. With ZeroAvia's recent successes in engine development and testing, the feasibility of this innovative approach is clearer than ever.”
ZeroAvia has been flight testing a prototype of its ZA600 for aboard a Dornier 228 aircraft at its UK base in Kemble, Gloucestershire, since last year. Hydrogen-electric engines use hydrogen in fuel cells to generate electricity, which is then used to power electric motors to turn the aircraft’s propellers. The only emission is water.
