KLM to conduct hydrogen-powered test flight

Dutch carrier KLM is working with Sustainable aircraft firm ZeroAvia to conduct a test flight powered by liquid hydrogen fuel within the next two years.

The test flight will be powered by ZeroAvia’s ZA2000 hydrogen-electric engines, which use hydrogen in fuel cells to run electric motors that turn the propellers of large regional jets, the companies said.

The only emission, according to the companies, is low-temperature water vapour. A recent study by Clean Sky and McKinsey estimated that hydrogen-powered combustion could reduce in-flight climate impact by between 50 and 75 per cent, and fuel-cell propulsion by between 75 to 90 per cent when compared to traditional jet fuel.

KLM said the project will provide “the evidence base for adoption of cleaner flights on KLM’s network”, with plans to conduct an initial A-to-B flight demonstration between two airport locations in 2026.

“As well as identifying the optimal airport pair, immediate workstreams will be working towards regulatory permits to fly and ensuring supply of liquid hydrogen fuel and putting in place the supporting infrastructure for aircraft fuelling,” the companies said in a statement.

The announcement comes as Amsterdam Schiphol begins trialling a new hydrogen-based facility to power aircraft on the ground and after ZeroAvia secured a $116 million investment in a 2023 funding round.

ZeroAvia chief business officer, Sergey Kiselev, said: “The world’s largest airlines are diving in to explore hydrogen-electric as a potential solution with increasing seriousness.”

KLM Cityhopper managing director, Maarten Koopmans, added: “When it comes to the future of zero-emission flights, KLM supports various technologies and innovations simultaneously. Together with our sector partners, we are conducting research on electric, hydrogen and hybrid-powered flights and exploring ways to expedite these advancements.”