ZeroAvia has been selected for grant agreement preparation for a €21.4 million award from the EU Innovation Fund to support the introduction of hydrogen-electric aircraft. The project will retrofit 15 Cessna Caravan aircraft with the company’s ZA600 hydrogen-electric engines and establish hydrogen fuel technologies at 15 airports in Norway, with operations planned to begin in 2028.

These zero-emission aircraft are designed to replace conventional turboprops on cargo routes and are expected to cut greenhouse gas emissions by around 95%. The initiative will also create what is expected to be the world’s largest network of zero-emission commercial flights. Air operators for the network will be announced later.

The ODIN project will validate the technical and economic case for hydrogen-electric aircraft in commercial use, supporting broader adoption in Norway and beyond.

ZeroAvia’s ZA600 system generates electricity from hydrogen fuel cells without combustion, emitting only low-temperature water vapour. The company has already flight tested a prototype and is now ground testing its final design for certification while working with the UK CAA and US FAA.

Val Miftakhov, founder and CEO, ZeroAvia, says: “The EU Innovation Fund is notoriously competitive with applications needing to pass through rigorous assessment and demonstrate compelling evidence for near-term greenhouse gas reductions. This project will set a phenomenal example by introducing a scaled network of hydrogen electric aircraft operations, efficiently delivering vital goods to people and businesses across Norway without the typical associated environmental damage.”