Summary
- Japan Airlines is partnering with hydrogen-electric manufacturers, H2FLY, Universal Hydrogen, and ZeroAvia, to explore the potential of hydrogen-powered regional operations.
- The partnerships aim to deal with key challenges in aviation, similar to CO2 emissions, by studying the feasibility of hydrogen aviation.
- JAL’s commitment to achieving net-zero operations by 2050 aligns with its exploration of hydrogen-electric propulsion technology for its regional aircraft.
Japan Airlines has partnered with three hydrogen-electric manufacturers – H2FLY, Universal Hydrogen, and ZeroAvia – because it explores the potential of hydrogen-electric-powered regional operations.
JAL eyes hydrogen-fueled flight
The Japanese carrier signed separate agreements with the three corporations, which have all successfully conducted hydrogen-powered test flights. With over 50 regional aircraft in operation across JAL airlines, the Japanese carrier is considering the feasibility of going hydrogen-electric on a business scale.
Ryo Tamura, President of JAL Engineering, said,
As with many carriers worldwide, JAL is committed to achieving net-zero operations by 2050. Its three partnerships will aim to “study the security, economic feasibility and maintainability” of next-generation hydrogen-electric aircraft.
H2FLY
H2FLY is a hydrogen-electric aircraft developer based in Stuttgart, Germany. The corporate became the primary to conduct piloted hydrogen flights with its HY4 demonstrator in September.
Photo: H2FLY
It’s on its sixth-generation powertrain, which is able to doubling the range of its HY4 from 750 km to 1,500 km through using liquid hydrogen. While it has yet to provide a firm date, H2FLY wants its tech to power 40-seater aircraft with a spread of as much as 2,000 km.
Universal Hydrogen
JAL’s partnership with California-based Universal Hydrogen will deal with its retrofit conversion kit, in addition to the corporate’s logistical know-how.
Rod Williams, Chief Business Officer at Universal Hydrogen, commented,
Photo: Universal Hydrogen
The corporate has been conducting tests using a Dash 8 demonstrator after completing its first flight in March. As of September 2023, it has attracted 250 orders for its regional aircraft conversion kits in deals value over $1 billion.
ZeroAvia
ZeroAvia is a British-American company that has already racked up nearly 2,000 orders for its engines. It initially goals to power 9-19 seat aircraft as much as a spread of 480 km, before providing powertrains for 40-90 seat planes within the 1,125 km range.
Photo: Oliver Kay | ZeroAvia
James Peck, Chief Customer Officer at ZeroAvia, said,
It accomplished the primary successful flight test of its ZA600 engine on a Dornier 228 back in January, while its ZA2000 powertrain goals to hit the market in 2027.
Collaboration on studies
In line with JAL, the partnerships will involve “conducting extensive studies” on the feasibility of hydrogen aircraft in Japanese airspace. Current technology means hydrogen-fueled aircraft have a limited range, but are feasible for the airline’s domestic network. Other crucial features of hydrogen flight, similar to fuel infrastructure and regulatory hurdles, may also be closely assessed.
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