Hydrogen-powered flight between London and Rotterdam by 2024

ZeroAvia, Royal Schiphol Group and Rotterdam The Hague Innovation Airport today (27^th October) have announced an ambitious target to operate the first commercial hydrogen-electric flight between London and Rotterdam by 2024.

A 19-seater aircraft, currently under development by ZeroAvia, will fly entirely on hydrogen. ZeroAvia and Royal Schiphol Group are in advanced partnership talks with airlines to agree on an operator for the planned route. This could be potentially the first international commercial operation in the world.

Through the partnership to deliver this commercial route, ZeroAvia and Royal Schiphol Group will collaborate on testing and demonstrating hydrogen supply chain refuelling operations and integration with airport operations.

ZeroAvia and Royal Schiphol will also focus on ensuring the pathway for commercially adopting hydrogen-electric aviation, including establishing the right regulatory framework and understanding industry and public appetite for zero-emissions flight powered by hydrogen.

ZeroAvia recently established a legal entity in the Netherlands. This will enable the company to create opportunities for commercialisation and partnership with airports, airframe manufacturers and/or airlines within the Netherlands and the wider EU.

Sergey Kiselev, Head of Europe at ZeroAvia, said, “Working with partners like Royal Schiphol Group, we are making true zero-emission flights a reality for passengers in the first half of this decade.”

Ron Louwerse, CEO of Rotterdam the Hague Airport, commented, “With the Netherlands as the testing ground for aviation, we strengthen our competitive position, knowledge base and business climate.”

Miranda Janse, Director at Rotterdam the Hague Innovation Airport, noted, “This partnership marks an important milestone, bringing operational expertise of hydrogen-powered flight into practice in the Netherlands.”