ZeroAvia and RVL Aviation advance plans to fly hydrogen-electric cargo flights in the UK
May 15, 2025
Zero-emission aviation has taken a leap forward this week, with ZeroAvia announcing a landmark agreement with RVL Aviation to operate what are expected to be the world’s first hydrogen-electric commercial flights.
Under the agreement, which could pave the way for a global transition to zero-emission short-haul air travel, RVL will deploy a Cessna Grand Caravan 208B aircraft retrofitted with ZeroAvia’s hydrogen-electric ZA600 powertrain on cargo routes across the British Isles. The retrofitted aircraft is still awaiting certification for the engine, airframe integration and planned services.
Analysis conducted by ZeroAvia and RVL found that the ZA600-equipped Cessna Caravan will meet operational demands while virtually eliminating carbon emissions. The ZA600 powertrain uses hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity that powers electric motors – with the only byproduct being water. The analysis suggests that switching to fuel cell propulsion could result in an overall climate impact reduction in the region of 90%.
According to ZeroAvia there are nearly 1,000 aircraft operating cargo routes around the world today, that could in the future be powered by ZA600 powertrains.
Expressing his delight at the partnership with RVL Aviation as a launch operator, Val Miftakhov, founder and CEO of ZeroAvia said: “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. We now 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.”
Headquartered at East Midlands Airport in the UK, RVL is working with MONTE, a pioneer in financing zero-emission technologies in the regional aviation sector, on the aircraft lease. Once the retrofitted Cessna Caravan 208B is in operation, RVL will also look to expand ZeroAvia’s zero emission technology across its other operations.
Also commenting on the collaboration, Dave Connor, CEO of RVL Aviation underlined that sustainability is not a single action. “Rather it is a series of steps: some small, some large, that add up to the inexorable progress that society demands and we all seek. This zero-emission initiative is a large step, and we look forward to operating the first scheduled commercial flights by this aircraft.”
ZeroAvia has already conducted extensive flight testing of the ZA600 aboard a Dornier 228 aircraft and is currently pursuing certification with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Development is also underway for its larger ZA2000 powertrain, which will support regional turboprop aircraft with up to 80 seats, such as the ATR72 and Dash 8-400, incorporating cryogenic liquid hydrogen storage and high-temperature fuel cells.
