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ZeroAvia Secures EU Support for Hydrogen Aircraft Development

ZeroAvia Secures EU Support for Hydrogen Aircraft Development
ZeroAvia has taken a significant step forward in advancing hydrogen-electric aviation with the selection of its €21.4 million funding application by the European Union Innovation Fund. The grant agreement preparation marks a pivotal moment for the company’s project to retrofit 15 Cessna Caravan aircraft with its ZA600 hydrogen-electric engines. Alongside the aircraft upgrades, the initiative includes the establishment of hydrogen fuel infrastructure at 15 airports across Norway. Operations are expected to commence in 2028, aiming to create the world’s largest network of zero-emission commercial flights.
The ODIN Project and Its Environmental Ambitions
The project, named ODIN, is designed to achieve a reduction of more than 95% in greenhouse gas emissions by replacing traditional kerosene-fueled turboprops on cargo routes. Beyond retrofitting aircraft, the initiative will develop hydrogen refueling and storage facilities, thereby validating both the technical performance and economic feasibility of hydrogen-electric aircraft in commercial service. This effort is intended to catalyze broader adoption of hydrogen-powered aviation not only in Norway but also across the European Union and internationally.
ZeroAvia’s proposal was distinguished by its alignment with the EU’s Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) initiative, earning the STEP Seal—a quality label awarded by the European Commission to projects that advance critical technologies within Europe. The company’s ZA600 powertrain, which employs fuel cells to generate electricity from hydrogen, completed its inaugural test flight on January 19, 2023, aboard a 19-seat Dornier 228 aircraft. Currently, ZeroAvia is conducting ground tests on its final design in preparation for certification, collaborating closely with both the UK Civil Aviation Authority and the US Federal Aviation Administration.
Challenges and Competitive Landscape
Despite these advancements, ZeroAvia operates within a competitive and rapidly evolving sector. The European regulatory framework for hydrogen, as outlined in the Gas and Hydrogen Package, aims to encourage innovation and competition while ensuring energy security and a cost-effective transition to cleaner fuels. Nevertheless, regulatory complexities, market acceptance, and the challenge of scaling hydrogen infrastructure remain significant barriers. The hydrogen and electric aviation market is becoming increasingly crowded, with major aerospace players such as Airbus, through its ZEROe program, as well as companies like SkyDrive and Archer Aviation, developing their own hydrogen and electric aircraft technologies.
Market responses to ZeroAvia’s EU endorsement may stimulate increased investment in hydrogen aviation. However, the sector faces substantial scalability and infrastructure demands. The EU’s flagship research initiative, Clean Aviation, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting hydrogen flight tests, although concerns persist regarding the adequacy of available funding.
Val Miftakhov, founder and CEO of ZeroAvia, highlighted the importance of the EU Innovation Fund’s support, emphasizing the rigorous evaluation process and the project’s potential to establish a new benchmark for sustainable aviation. “This project will set a phenomenal example by introducing a scaled network of hydrogen-electric aircraft operations, efficiently delivering vital goods to people and businesses across Norway without the typical associated environmental damage,” Miftakhov stated.
As ZeroAvia advances its development, the company’s progress will be closely monitored as an indicator of the future trajectory of hydrogen-powered flight in Europe and beyond.

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