ZeroAvia, a leader in the development of zero-emission alternatives for commercial aviation, announced yesterday that it has entered into an agreement with MONTE Aircraft Leasing, a regional aircraft leasing company.
Under the partnership, the two will offer aircraft leasing and financing solutions to enable operators to perform low-carbon commercial flights.
Specifically, MONTE will purchase up to 100 ZA600 engines, manufactured by ZeroAvia. The equipment will be installed in Cessna Caravan, DHC-6 Twin Otter, Dornier 228 and HAL-228 aircraft owned by the lessor.
ZeroAvia is currently developing a project to certify this 600 kilowatt power plant. It is designed to power aircraft for between five to twenty passengers. The system uses gaseous hydrogen stored onboard in lightweight tanks. The hydrogen feeds fuel cell stacks that generate power by converting hydrogen into electricity.
According to information from both companies, they plan to retrofit the aircraft starting in 2024. In addition, they will finance and provide maintenance services and hydrogen availability to support operations. The agreement will make ZeroAvia the exclusive supplier of hydrogen-electric engines for MONTE’s fleet.
James Peck, ZeroAvia’s VP of Business Development, said that the agreement “will offer flexibility to operators to allow them to launch zero-emissions flights on their networks, as well as extending the lifespan of hundreds of in-service airframes”.
Timothy Eyre, MONTE’s Investment Director, said that the partnership is “an important step” in the company’s journey to become “one of the world’s first zero-emission aircraft lessors”.
The first tests of the ZA600 are expected to begin soon on a modernized Dornier 228 aircraft. Initially, it will fly using one stock engine to ensure minimum safety standards. Then, sequentially, the program will move to full hydrogen-electric flight.
See also: ZeroAvia seals support agreement with MHI RJ Aviation Group
