US aviation firm United Airlines has become the largest airline to invest in hydrogen fuel cell engines by taking an equity stake in technology firm Zeroavia.

United expects to buy up to 100 of the firm’s hydrogen-electric engines, which it hopes can be retrofitted to existing United regional aircraft by 2028.

“Hydrogen-electric engines are one of the most promising paths to zero-emission air travel for smaller aircraft, and this investment will keep United out in front on this important emerging technology,” says United CEO Scott Kirby.

“This backing by our investors will enable us to accelerate delivery of our engine for larger aircraft” Miftakhov, Zeroavia

“United continues to look for opportunities to not only advance our own sustainability initiatives but also identify and help technologies and solutions that the entire industry can adopt.”

Under the agreement, United will purchase 50 engines, with an option for 50 more—enough for up to 50 twin-engine aircraft.

Funding round

Airline holding company Alaska Air Group also invested in Zeroavia as part of the same funding round. The firm has existing investment from private equity firm Summa Equity; Shell’s corporate strategic investor, Shell Ventures; and venture capital firms AP Ventures, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Horizons Ventures and Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund.

Zeroavia completed the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell powered flight of a commercial-grade aircraft in September 2020. It will conduct a second test flight in the coming months. The firm has secured experimental certificates for its two prototype aircraft from the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority  and the US Federal Aviation Administration.

“As we prepare for ground and flight testing of our first commercial intent product in the coming weeks, this backing by our investors will enable us to accelerate delivery of our engine for larger aircraft,” says Val Miftakhov, CEO of Zeroavia.

The firm aims to bring its hydrogen propulsion technology to market in 2024. It is targeting a 500-mile range in 10-20 seat aircraft. The funding round involving United and Alaska Air Group means the firm can adapt its technology for the next segment of larger 40-80 seat aircraft, targeting turboprops by 2026 and regional jets by 2028.

Wider decarbonisation options

United operated the first passenger flight using 100pc sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at the start of December.

The company recently agreed to buy 6.7mn t of SAF from biofuel supplier Alder Fuels and is also an investor in Fulcrum BioEnergy, which manufactures biofuel from waste and from which it has the option to purchase up to 4mn t of additional SAF.

Meanwhile Australian airline Qantas has announced it will purchase blended SAF from next month, helping to reduce its carbon emissions by around 10pc for its flights from London—the first time the airline will regularly buy the fuel.

50 – Initial order of hydrogen engines from United

Qantas is in discussions about accessing SAF at other hubs, including Los Angeles, and recently signed a memorandum of understanding to use the fuel for flights from San Francisco from 2024.

These volume agreements are crucial to bringing down the cost of SAF—which can be several times more expensive than traditional jet kerosene—according to Qantas’ chief sustainability officer, Andrew Parker.

“Zero-emission technologies like electric aircraft or green hydrogen are still a very long way off for aviation, and even further away for long-haul flights like London to Australia. SAF and high quality carbon offsetting are therefore critical on the path to net zero,” he says.

---

Author: Tom Young