American Airlines recently announced a conditional purchase agreement with clean aviation innovator ZeroAvia. The agreement is for 100 hydrogen-electric engines designed to power regional jet aircraft, emitting only water vapor. Additionally, American has increased its investment in ZeroAvia, having initially invested in 2022 and participated in the company’s Series C financing round. This engine agreement follows a Memorandum of Understanding between the companies announced in 2022.
ZeroAvia is developing hydrogen-electric engines for commercial aircraft, aiming for nearly zero inflight emissions. The company is currently flight testing a prototype for a 20-seat plane and designing engines for larger aircraft like the Bombardier CRJ700, used by American on specific regional routes.