The first three days of the Paris Airshow 2023 saw a flurry of activity, with airlines ordering aircraft of different capacities. However, the fourth day was marked by the announcement of thrilling deals focusing on the sustainability aspect of the aviation industry’s future. Here’s a roundup of the day’s highlights:

Airbus and LanzaJet Collaborate to Produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Airbus and LanzaJet have signed a memorandum of understanding to accelerate the certification and adoption of 100% drop-in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). LanzaJet’s proprietary Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ) technology uses low-carbon ethanol to create SAF that reduces greenhouse gas emissions by more than 70% compared to fossil fuels. This collaboration is a significant step in reducing the aviation industry’s carbon footprint. Read more

Air Cahana Orders 250 Hydrogen-Electric Engines from ZeroAvia at Paris Air Show

Air Cahana has ordered 250 hydrogen-electric engines from ZeroAvia. The ZA2000 engines, developed by ZeroAvia, are zero-emission propulsion systems and represent the company’s most powerful powertrain platform. With a power output range of 2,000 kW to 5,000 kW, the ZA2000 uses hydrogen fuel to generate electricity, powering the electric motors with zero emissions. Read more

GKN Aerospace Achieves Milestone in F-35 Program with European Fleet Servicing

GKN Aerospace has successfully serviced and maintained the first F-35 wheels and brakes assemblies for the European fleet at its GKN Fokker landing gear facility in the Netherlands. This marks an important step forward in expanding the F-35 industrial base and increasing international partnership in the program. Read more

AutoFlight to Conduct Experimental eVTOL Flights at 2024 Paris Olympic Games

Electric aircraft pioneer AutoFlight is set to perform experimental flights of its Prosperity I aircraft at the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. AutoFlight has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Groupe ADP, previously known as Aeroports de Paris, committing to carry out experimental eVTOL flights from Pontoise Vertiport during the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. Read more

Pratt & Whitney to Launch New Manufacturing Site in Morocco and Expand in Georgia

Pratt & Whitney has announced plans to manufacture critical engine parts in Morocco and increase the capacity of its facility in Columbus, Georgia. This expansion will help meet the growing demand for its products and services. Read more

In the aftermath of the Paris Air Show, electric aircraft pioneer AutoFlight announced it will carry out experimental piloted flights of its Prosperity I aircraft during the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Infrastructure Ready for eVTOL

AutoFlight has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Groupe ADP, previously known as Aeroports de Paris. The group manages around 20 airports worldwide, including Charles de Gaulle, Orly, and Le Bourget airports in the Paris area. Additionally, it operates Pontoise Vertiport, a passenger terminal and testing ground for future electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) operations, situated about 50 kilometers from Paris.

The MoU commits AutoFlight and Groupe ADP to carry out experimental eVTOL flights with Prosperity I from Pontoise Vertiport during the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. High-profile original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have already pledged to operate live flights in Paris next year, marking the Paris Olympics as both a showcase and proving ground for eVTOL makers.

Mark Henning, managing director of AutoFlight Europe, mentioned that the 2024 games will be a global celebration, and AutoFlight is proud to have its technology be part of it.

Delivering Under Pressure

The MoU, signed by AutoFlight CEO Tian Yu and Groupe ADP Deputy CEO Edward Arkwright, aims to spotlight “AutoFlight’s potential in scaling up sustainable urban logistics and passenger transportation under real-world conditions.” Prosperity I, exhibited at the air show, is designed for safe, quiet, affordable urban trips and regional journeys.

AutoFlight touts a “world record” range of 250 kilometers and claims the aircraft is among the few to have successfully navigated the challenging transition phase from vertical to horizontal flight “hundreds of times.” According to the OEM, the energy consumption of Prosperity I is on par with an electric car, heralding a new era of sustainable logistics and passenger transportation.

Pontoise Vertiport, Europe’s most advanced airfield for sustainable air mobility, features dedicated take-off and landing areas, a passenger terminal, a fully equipped maintenance hangar, and advanced control areas. ADP Groupe is deeply involved in eVTOL infrastructure, with plans for five additional vertiports.

The collaboration encapsulated by the MoU is part of Groupe ADP’s strategy to establish a unique Paris area air mobility ecosystem, an initiative underway since 2020 to position the company at the forefront of the push for advanced urban air mobility.

Air Cahana, announced today at the Paris Air Show, has ordered 250 hydrogen-electric engines from ZeroAvia. As an airline launched with the sole mission of decarbonizing aviation, Air Cahana’s focus is on sustainable flights.

ZA2000: ZeroAvia’s Hydrogen-Electric Powerhouse

The ZA2000 engines, developed by ZeroAvia, are zero-emission propulsion systems and represent the company’s most powerful powertrain platform. With a power output range of 2,000 kW to 5,000 kW, the ZA2000 uses hydrogen fuel to generate electricity, powering the electric motors with zero emissions.

This engine design has also attracted other regional operators. Last year, Ravn Alaska ordered 30 of these engines from ZeroAvia for its Dash 8 turboprop aircraft.

A Closer Look at Air Cahana

Based in Los Angeles, California, and established in 2019, Air Cahana is run by Flyshare, Inc. The airline, founded by aeronautics and engineering veterans, has been focusing on advanced aeronautics, propulsion, and clean sheet aircraft designs for sustainable aviation. Their goal? To become the cleanest airline in the sky.

Starting with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), the carrier intends to adopt zero-emission propulsion systems as such technology becomes market-ready.

ZeroAvia and Hydrogen-Electric Propulsion

According to ZeroAvia, its hydrogen-electric powertrain reduces life cycle emissions by 90% compared to turbines and operates at 60% lower costs. Moreover, the hourly maintenance cost is 75% lower, and by 2024, it is projected to achieve 50% of the operational range of a conventional turboprop, with 100% range expected by 2026.

ZeroAvia has attracted interest from a range of regional operators and big names such as United Airlines, American Airlines, and British Airways. Beyond North America, ZeroAvia has partnered with carriers like Sweden’s Braathens Regional Airlines, which sees potential in the ZA2000 and the smaller ZA600 powertrain, suitable for smaller 9-19 seater aircraft.

In January this year, ZeroAvia achieved a significant milestone with the first Hydrogen Powered zero-emission flight with a Dornier 228. Furthermore, aircraft lessor Green Aerolease signed a deal with ZeroAvia at the Air Show this week for their smaller ZA600 powertrain. Green Aerolease aims to integrate these engines into the fleet of French regional carrier, Finistair.

ZeroAvia’s hydrogen-electric powertrain offers operational and cost advantages for operators, passengers, and the environment. With successful testing already done for their ZA600 engines, it will be interesting to see the testing and potential success of the larger ZA2000 powertrain, which could attract more regional operators.