Surcar airlines selects ZeroAvia hydrogen-electric engines for clean seaplane flights in the Canary Islands.
ZeroAvia announced that it has signed an agreement to provide its ZA600 hydrogen-electric engines to new operator Surcar Airlines as it looks to bring green flights to the Canary Islands.
Surcar plans to use Twin Otter seaplanes retrofit with the ZA600 powertrain on sightseeing tours. The newly launched airline is backed by investors including the Danish carrier Nordic Seaplanes. Surcar Airlines is committed to spearheading the electrification of aviation to enable zero-emission flights in the Canary Islands.
By pioneering captivating, green sightseeing flights, the company aims to inspire and drive other operators towards adopting sustainable practices, accelerating the transition to a cleaner future for the entire industry.
Surcar Airlines will begin operations with conventionally powered aircraft; the next step will be switching to hydrogen-electric engines to remove all in-flight emissions, providing huge additional reductions in climate and air quality impacts.
ZeroAvia is on track for certification over the next two to three years of the ZA600, 600kW engine for 9-19 seat aircraft over the next two to three years and has a Memorandum of Understanding with De Havilland of Canada, type certificate holder of the Twin Otter.
The European Union is targeting 55 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, and Spain’s National Energy and Climate Plan aims to achieve an entirely carbon-neutral transport system by 2050. Such policy action is echoed in consumer attitudes.
According to a survey conducted by the European Investment Bank, three-quarters of Europeans plan to fly less frequently in the future for environmental reasons. Delivering clean flight is a strategic imperative for the aviation industry.
James Peck, Chief Customer Officer, ZeroAvia, said:
The Canaries are a perfect use case for the earliest zero-emission flights, given the opportunity for replacing combustion engines on short island-to-island routes.
“Developing green options for inter-island travel will help further increase the appeal of one of Europe’s most popular holiday destinations.”
Gerardo Morales-Hierro, Founder & CEO, Surcar Airlines, said:
Millions visit each year to see the incredible natural beauty and world heritage sites here in the Canary Islands.
“Climate change threatens this and our way of life. Working with ZeroAvia will help us to deliver cleaner flights, while also fostering positive impacts on the local community and the environment.”
ZeroAvia recently completed a program of 10 test flights of a prototype of its ZA600 for the aboard a Dornier 228 aircraft at its UK base in Kemble, Gloucestershire. Hydrogen-electric engines use hydrogen in fuel cells to generate electricity, which is then used to power electric motors to turn the aircraft’s propellers. The only emission is water.
About ZeroAvia
ZeroAvia is a leader in zero-emission aviation, focused on hydrogen-electric aviation as the initially targeting a 300-mile range in 9–19 seat aircraft by 2025, and up to 700-mile range in 40–80 seat aircraft by 2027.
Based in the US and the UK, ZeroAvia has already secured experimental certificates for its three prototype aircraft from the CAA and FAA, passed significant flight test milestones, secured a number of key partnerships with major aircraft OEMs, secured pre-orders for nearly 2,000 engines from a number of the major global airlines, with future revenue potential over $10bn.
The company is on track for commercial operations in 2025. ZeroAvia is part of the UK Government’s Jet Zero Council. For more, please visit ZeroAvia.com, follow @ZeroAvia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
About Surcar
Surcar Airlines, a groundbreaking startup with a unique blend of Danish and Canarian capital. We are set to revolutionize the Canary Islands’ aviation with seaplanes, offering an extraordinary experience flying just 300 meters above the sparkling sea. Our collaborative effort brings back the magic of seaplane travel, providing eco-friendly choices for both locals and tourists to explore the Enchanted Isles.
Safety, innovation, and a vision to make Canarias a global leader in aviation electrification drive us forward. Join us on this journey to create a positive, modern image for the Canary Islands, as we pioneer a greener and more exhilarating future in aviation, follow @surcar_airlines on Instagram and Twitter.
Surcar Airlines Selects ZeroAvia Engines for Clean Seaplane Flights in the Canary Islands, August 2, 2023
