After more than two and a half years of working towards certification, Connect Airlines is back to square one. The carrier’s Certificate Authorities for interstate and foreign scheduled passenger services have been revoked by the Department of Transportation for dormancy.
hydrogen
Connect pushes forward on certification, expects American Airlines investment
Connect Airlines has been quiet of late, but that does not mean the company has not been busy. As it continues to work with the FAA towards certification of its operations, the company also scored new funding, adjusted its organizational structure, and expects that a major US airline will buy in to the plan.
United, ZeroAvia see hydrogen-powered regional jets by the end of the decade
United Airlines wants to power some of its regional jets with hydrogen by the end of the decade. The company announced a deal with ZeroAvia to purchase up to 100 of the new zero-emission, 100% hydrogen-electric engines (ZA2000-RJ). The engine could be retrofit to existing United Express aircraft as early as 2028.
Connect Airlines plans 2025 hydrogen conversion
Upstart Connect Airlines sees a lower carbon operation very soon in its future. The company, part of the Waltzing Matilda Aviation group, signed a letter of intent with Universal Hydrogen to convert a dozen Dash 8-300 turboprops to hydrogen fuel cell powertrains, hopefully by 2025.
American, Avalon place major Vertical Aerospace eVTOL orders*
A pair of major order announcements offer a boost for UK eVTOL hopeful Vertical Aerospace, as more than 750 aircraft could have a new home by the middle of the decade.
Inmarsat joins Project HEART with connectivity for single-pilot ops
Inmarsat’s European Aviation Network could soon be part of a hydrogen-powered regional flying scheme in the United Kingdom. The effort, driven by the UK government, will also explore the option of single-pilot operations for commercial flights, using the data network to offer support for that pilot while in the sky.
Airbus pushes hydrogen as the future of green travel
Airbus has grand plans for a zero emissions commercial aircraft to be carrying passengers by 2035, and hydrogen is the key component. The aircraft manufacturer unveild a trio of concept planes that will displace electric or kerosene-powered models a few decades hence.