American Airlines has agreed to purchase 100 of ZeroAvia’s hydrogen-electric engines to convert 70-seat Bombardier CRJ700 regional jets. The conditional sales agreement was announced by the companies on July 2.
ZeroAvia, which is developing the 2-megawatt ZA2000 powertrain for aircraft seating up to 90 passengers, is also aiming to introduce the 600-kilowatt ZA600 engines for 20-seat regional aircraft. The company, which in April opened a manufacturing site for components near Seattle, has said the first ZA600 units will be installed under supplemental type certificates (STC) in 2025, with the larger units to follow in 2027.
The CRJ700 conversion would involve replacing the aircraft’s existing pair of GE Aerospace CF-34 turbofans. In October 2021, ZeroAvia announced a partnership with Mitsubishi’s Canada-based MHI RJ Aviation Group (MHIRJ) subsidiary to work on plans for the STC. At the time MHIRJ, which in June 2020 acquired the CRJ program from Bombardier, told AIN it had not definitively agreed to see the project through to service entry. However, the agreement was subsequently firmed up in May 2022.
Under the agreement announced this week, American Airlines is also increasing its investment in Washington-based ZeroAvia by an undisclosed amount. The carrier first invested in the start-up in 2022, when it signed a memorandum of understanding for the ZA2000s, and participated in its Series C funding round announced in November 2023. The new funding for ZeroAvia was confirmed just a few days after its rival Universal Hydrogen said the company is being closed after failing to secure new investors.
Cutting Carbon From Regional Routes
According to ZeroAvia, its first converted regional airliner will be a 19-seater capable of operating on routes of up to around 261 nm with its ZA600 engines running on hydrogen gas. The more powerful ZA2000s are expected to be able to support flights of just over 600 nm, running on liquid hydrogen. ZeroAvia has conducted flight tests for the ZA600 on a converted Dornier 228 aircraft.
In December 2021, United Airlines and Alaska Airlines contributed to a $35 million investment in ZeroAvia. At the time, United said it had secured rights to buy up to 100 ZA2000 engines for regional jets operated by its United Express unit.
Alaska has said it wants to convert up to 50 of its 76-seat Dash 8 Q400 twin turboprops. ZeroAvia has used a Dash 8 aircraft as a testbed for its propulsion system.
American Airlines has 61 CRJ700s in its fleet and these are operated by its regional affiliate PSA Airlines. “Advancing the transition of commercial aviation to a low-carbon future requires investments in promising technologies, including alternate forms of propulsion,” said American’s CEO, Robert Isom. “This announcement will help accelerate the development of technologies needed to power our industry and uphold our commitment to make American a sustainable airline so we can continue to deliver for customers for decades to come.”
ZeroAvia’s engines use hydrogen in fuel cells to generate electricity, which is then used to power electric motors to turn the aircraft’s propellers. The company said the only emissions will be low-temperature water vapor.