Cargo flight group RVL Aviation plans to introduce Cessna Grand Caravan 208B aircraft retrofitted with ZeroAvia’s hydrogen-electric propulsion systems to its fleet. Announcing an agreement on May 13, the companies said the converted single turboprop aircraft will enter service on domestic UK routes after ZeroAvia secures the required certification for the 600-kilowatt ZA600 powertrain.
RVL, which is based at East Midlands Airport, will lease the Caravans from asset management group Monte. The announcement did not specify how many aircraft have been ordered or when they will be retrofitted and available to start commercial flights.
According to ZeroAvia, it is working with RVL and Monte on plans to convert other small turboprop aircraft to hydrogen-electric propulsion. ZeroAvia, which has operations in the UK and the U.S., is also developing the ZA600 and the two-megawatt ZA2000 powertrains for larger passenger-carrying airliners with up to 80 seats, such as the Dash 8 400 and the ATR72. The company has previously indicated that the first ZA600 retrofits could be completed by the end of 2025, with the ZA2000 to follow in 2027.
“Today is a proud day for all of our team in our pursuit of a clean future of flight as we now have a confirmed launch operator with concrete plans to fly aircraft powered by the ZA600 engine,” said ZeroAvia’s CEO and founder, Val Miftakhov. “We have the engine design; we have the integration plans for the launch airframe; we have the solutions to provide the hydrogen fuel; and we have the customers wanting to operate the first routes. Now we need to double our attention on the certification testing that will get this route flying and then ramp up production for our other confirmed ZA600 customers.”
