These days, everyone and every airline is talking about reducing carbon emission. One brand-new airline says it’s planning to get there first, with hydrogen-powered planes, converted from existing turboprops.
Connect Airlines has just gotten its U.S. Department of Transportation certificate to operate scheduled interstate service, and is starting its ‘proving runs’ for FAA certification today, with a four-week schedule. Once approved, it will apply for a Canadian certificate as well, with plans to link Chicago, Philadelphia and Toronto’s Billy Bishop airport.
It’s starting with ATR72-600s acquired from bankrupt British carrier FlyBe, and says that’s already a win because they produce 40% less carbon emissions than the regional jets most carriers use on those routes.
But the big news is a firm contract with Universal Hydrogen Company to convert 75 of the ATRs to hydrogen powerchains, using ‘green’ hydrogen as fuel and emitting only water vapor. There’s also an option for an additional 25 conversions. Connect is a subsidiary of charter operator Waltzing Matilda Aviation.
Universal Hydrogen, in addition to the hydrogen conversion kit, sells hydrogen operations to airports, supplying hydrogen in modular capsules that can reach airports through normal road and rail delivery rather than requiring new pipelines or other infrastructure.
