ZeroAvia has announced this week that it has struck a deal to bring zero-emissions flights to Sweden.
Such a deal has been struck to allow commercial routes from Skellefteå Airport using hydrogen-electric powertrains with Braathens Airlines.
Braathens Airlines operates a fleet of 14 ATR 72 aircraft, which will eventually have these powertrains utilized for flights across Sweden.
Executive Comments from Sweden…
Commenting on this deal was James Peck, the Chief Customer Officer for ZeroAvia:
“Sweden is one of the most ambitious countries in the world in pursuit of net zero targets for aviation, with an overall fossil fuel-free aspiration by 2045, and planning for all domestic flights to be fossil free by 2030.”
“Aviation will become a larger proportion of emissions as other sectors abate, so the country will need to see true zero-emission air travel that goes beyond combustion fuels.”
“Bold projects such as the one planned for Skellefteå are crucial in this endeavor.”
Also commenting was Ulrika Matsgård, the CEO of Braathens Regional Airlines:
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To achieve our airlines’ ambitious goal of reaching net zero for our international flights by 2045, we need to speed up the development of technology.”
“We see hydrogen-powered aircraft as one important solution for international flights in Europe. It’s also important for us to contribute to initiatives started here in the Nordics.”
Robert Lindberg, CEO of Skellefteå Airport, said:
“We see an increasing travel demand in the northern part of all Nordic countries.”
“If we manage to test, develop and commercialize hydrogen aviation solutions in Skellefteå, we can help to increase regional connectivity in a truly sustainable way.”
ZeroAvia Leading The Way Elsewhere…
Looking away from Sweden, ZeroAvia has been very busy in 2023 so far, with the theme of zero-emissions flights spreading across Europe currently.
Back in January, the company operated its hydrogen-electric engines on its largest aircraft yet: The Dornier 228.
The flight took place from the company’s R&D facility at Cotswold Airport in Gloucestershire, UK, and lasted 10 minutes.
At 13.35 pm GMT on January 20, the aircraft completed taxi, take-off, a full pattern circuit, and landing.
The landmark flight forms part of the HyFlyer II project, a major R&D program backed by the UK Government’s flagship ATI Programme, which targets the development of a 600kW powertrain to support 9-19 seat aircraft worldwide with zero-emission flight.
Overall…
Looking ahead, it remains clear that there is a level of demand for this type of flight, especially with sustainability in aviation coming under closer focus.
The new agreement in Sweden backs that argument up.
All eyes will be on ZeroAvia to see how much further they can take this program, as well as what the rest of the decade will look like when these flights launch.
But for now, it does look like progress is being made in the right direction.
