ZeroAvia is developing hydrogen-electric propulsion systems for regional airliners. (ZeroAvia)Maritime Energy Heli Air Services (MEHAIR) is seeking to transition its fleet to hydrogen-electric propulsion through an agreement with powertrain developer ZeroAvia. Under a deal announced on January 18, the Indian scheduled and charter flight operator placed a conditional order for up to 20 of the ZA600 engines and plans to have these installed on 10 Cessna Caravans it intends to acquire or lease.
Since being established in 2011, MEHAIR has mainly focused on seaplane services in various parts of the Indian sub-continent, including the Andaman and Nicobar islands in the Bay of Bengal. It is now looking to expand its network of sub-regional services with both amphibious and wheeled aircraft. The current fleet includes float-equipped Cessna Grand Caravan single turboprops.
The operator is now exploring options to finance the acquisition and retrofitting of the engines. It already has a relationship with Monte, which is partnered with ZeroAvia for ZA600 leases. Under the new agreement, MEHAIR will collaborate with ZeroAvia to establish infrastructure and processes for supplying hydrogen fuel.
The Indian government wants to expand the use of hydrogen as part of the country’s clean energy strategy. As part of a goal to achieve net zero carbon by 2070, which is beyond the 2050 objective set by United Nations COP agreements, it aims to boost hydrogen production to five million metric tons per year by 2030.
The expansion of regional flights in India is backed by the government’s UDAN program to develop the use of more small local airports, plus landing strips and waterways. “Aligning with the government’s vision of sustainable aviation, we believe we need to find sustainable ways to power our operations in the future and we’re excited by what ZeroAvia’s technology offers and the progress demonstrated so far,” said MEHAR managing director Siddharth Verma.
According to ZeroAvia, its fuel cell-based propulsion systems will support 9- to 19-seat aircraft operating on routes of up to 300 miles by the end of 2025. The higher-capacity ZA2000 powertrain is also in development for retrofitting 40- to 80-seat regional airliners.
In July 2023, MEHAIR signed a provisional sales agreement with Jekta to buy up to 50 of the 19-seat PHA-ZE 100 electric seaplanes the Swiss company is developing. The first 10 units are covered by deposits with Jekta aiming to start deliveries in 2029.
