Surcar Airlines chooses ZeroAvia system for ‘green Canary Island flights’

ZeroAvia has signed an agreement with Surcar Airlines to provide its hydrogen-electric engines as the new carrier looks to bring “green flights” to the Canary Islands.

Surcar plans to use Twin Otter seaplanes retrofitted with ZeroAvia’s ZA600 powertrain on sightseeing tours. The newly launched airline is backed by investors including the Danish carrier Nordic Seaplanes. Surcar Airlines will begin operations with conventionally powered aircraft, the next step will be switching to hydrogen-electric.

Gerardo Morales-Hierro, founder and CEO, Surcar Airlines, said: “Millions visit each year to see the incredible natural beauty and world heritage sites here in the Canary Islands. Climate change threatens this and our way of life. Working with ZeroAvia will help us to deliver cleaner flights, while also fostering positive impacts on the local community and the environment.”

ZeroAvia is on track for certification of its 600kW engine for 9-19 seat aircraft over the next two to three years and has a deal in place with De Havilland of Canada, type certificate holder of the Twin Otter.

James Peck, chief customer officer, ZeroAvia, said: “The Canaries are a perfect use case for the earliest zero-emission flights, given the opportunity for replacing combustion engines on short island-to-island routes. Developing green options for inter-island travel will help further increase the appeal of one of Europe’s most popular holiday destinations.”

Meanwhile, ZeroAvia recently completed a programme of 10 test flights of a prototype of its ZA600 on a Dornier 228 aircraft.