Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Scotland’s flagship regional airline Loganair and UK-based clean aviation pioneer ZeroAvia have launched a transformative partnership to develop a next-generation 2500 kW hydrogen-electric propulsion system, aimed at powering zero-emission flights across the UK and Europe. This powerful collaboration merges Loganair’s operational reach with ZeroAvia’s advanced green technology, paving the way for a bold shift toward decarbonising regional air travel. As the aviation sector faces mounting climate challenges, this hydrogen innovation represents a significant leap forward in creating a cleaner, more sustainable future of flight.

Scotland’s largest regional airline, Loganair, is taking a bold step toward the future of green aviation through a strategic collaboration with clean aviation innovator ZeroAvia. The partnership is designed to explore the commercial viability of hydrogen-powered aircraft for short-haul and regional operations across the United Kingdom and Europe, a move that could significantly reduce the airline’s carbon emissions and set a new industry benchmark in sustainable air travel.

At the heart of this partnership lies a shared vision: to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from regional aviation by developing and deploying hydrogen-electric propulsion systems. This initiative aligns with the aviation industry’s growing efforts to reduce environmental impact amid intensifying global climate targets.

ZeroAvia, a leading developer of hydrogen-electric aviation technology, is currently working on two main powertrain solutions to enable this transformation. The first is the , a 600-kilowatt hydrogen fuel cell engine intended for aircraft with capacities ranging from ten to twenty passengers. This engine is currently undergoing a rigorous certification process with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and is expected to be among the first hydrogen systems approved for commercial use.

While the ZA600 targets smaller aircraft, ZeroAvia is also working on a larger and more powerful engine, the , which is designed to support aircraft seating between forty and eighty passengers. This second-generation system is particularly relevant for Loganair, whose fleet includes over twenty ATR 42 and ATR 72 turboprop aircraft—models that fall squarely within the ZA2000’s intended operating capacity.

If successfully certified and integrated, these engines could replace conventional fossil fuel-based propulsion systems in Loganair’s fleet, enabling emission-free flights on critical regional routes. Such routes typically connect smaller cities, islands, and remote regions—areas where Loganair has long held a strong operational presence and where the transition to green technology could make an outsized environmental impact.

ZeroAvia’s development efforts are being accelerated through substantial financial backing. In late 2024, the company raised \$150 million in funding from major industry players, including Airbus and American Airlines. These investments are being directed toward the certification and scaling of ZeroAvia’s hydrogen-electric engine programs, as well as the development of supporting infrastructure such as hydrogen refueling stations and maintenance protocols.

The progress made in hydrogen aviation to date signals a potential turning point for the aviation sector, which has historically been difficult to decarbonize due to high energy demands and long-distance operations. While electric aircraft are emerging as viable solutions for ultra-short routes, hydrogen fuel cells offer a higher energy density, making them more suitable for medium-range regional flights—a category that represents a large portion of Europe’s air traffic.

Loganair’s decision to pursue hydrogen-powered aircraft fits squarely within the UK’s broader strategy to become a global leader in green aviation. The UK government has identified sustainable aviation as a key area for innovation, aiming to achieve net-zero emissions from domestic flights by 2040 and all flights by 2050. Partnerships like the one between Loganair and ZeroAvia are seen as crucial in driving real progress toward those targets.

Loganair itself has been steadily building its sustainability credentials. As one of the UK’s most active regional airlines, it has been involved in several programs to modernize its fleet, increase fuel efficiency, and reduce overall environmental impact. Incorporating hydrogen-electric aircraft could further solidify its leadership position in regional aviation and set a template for other carriers to follow.

Despite the optimism, several challenges remain before hydrogen-powered aircraft can become a widespread reality. Infrastructure is one of the most critical bottlenecks. Airports across the UK and Europe will need to invest in new hydrogen storage and refueling systems, develop specialized ground support operations, and ensure safety standards are met at every stage of hydrogen handling and usage.

Another hurdle is the production of green hydrogen itself. To deliver true environmental benefits, hydrogen must be generated using renewable energy sources rather than fossil fuels—a process that currently accounts for a small fraction of global hydrogen supply. Scaling up green hydrogen production will be key to ensuring the long-term viability and sustainability of hydrogen aviation.

Nevertheless, stakeholders in the aviation ecosystem, from governments to technology providers and airlines, are increasingly aligning to overcome these obstacles. The Loganair-ZeroAvia partnership is one such example of how coordinated efforts can accelerate breakthroughs in sustainable aviation.

As the aviation industry navigates the path to sustainability, hydrogen is emerging as a promising frontier—especially for regional air travel. With technological innovation, regulatory backing, and strategic partnerships, hydrogen-powered aircraft may soon be more than just a concept.

Loganair’s forward-thinking approach, combined with ZeroAvia’s technical expertise, positions both companies at the forefront of a potential revolution in European aviation. Should these developments come to fruition, passengers flying across the UK and Europe in the next decade may find themselves aboard aircraft that emit nothing but water vapor.

Scotland’s Loganair and UK-based ZeroAvia have joined forces to revolutionize regional aviation by developing a powerful 2500 kW hydrogen-electric engine designed to enable zero-emission flights across the UK and Europe. This pioneering partnership signals a bold step toward a cleaner, greener future of flight.

This bold move reflects a growing realization within the industry: the future of aviation must be sustainable, and hydrogen may hold the key to getting there.