ZeroAvia and RVL Aviation have signed an agreement that will see the world’s first zero-emission cargo services take flight in the UK’s skies.
The agreement will see RVL operate Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft retrofitted with ZeroAvia’s hydrogen-electric, zero-emission ZA600 powertrain, powering initial flights within the British Isles once engine certification, airframe integration and planned services have all been obtained, retrofit work finalised and training work completed.
According to the pair, a ZA600-enabled Cessna Caravan can not only meet existing operational requirements, but also virtually eliminate the climate impact of operations. Furthermore, there are close to 1,000 aircraft operating cargo routes worldwide that could be powered by ZA600 powertrains in the future.
Dave Connor, RVL Aviation CEO, commented: “Sustainability is not a single action. Rather it is a series of steps: some small, some large, that add up to the inexorable progress that society demands and we all seek. This zero-emission initiative is a large step, and we look forward to operating the first scheduled commercial flights by this aircraft.”
