Indian seaplane company Maritime Energy Heli Air Services (MEHAIR) has placed a conditional order for 20 ZeroAvia ZA600 hydrogen-electric powerplants. The engines will support MEHAIR's plans to expand beyond the Indian subcontinent to offer subregional routes across India with both amphibious and wheeled aircraft.
MEHAIR will explore a range of options for financing the acquisition and retrofit of the engines to its upcoming fleet of 10 Cessna Caravan aircraft, including working with potential leasing partners. The company already has a relationship with MONTE as its preferred ZA600 lessor partner. ZeroAvia and MEHAIR will also work together on establishing the fuel supply for the operator’s services across India.
“Hydrogen fuel cell propulsion can offer lower operating costs and zero-emission flight, driving a rapid increase in regional aviation and support dramatic expansion of MEHAIR’s operations,” said ZeroAvia chief customer officer James Peck.
India aims to use hydrogen to help facilitate its clean energy future, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors like aviation, and to deliver net zero by 2070.
“Aligning with the Govt’s vision of sustainable aviation, we believe we need to find sustainable ways to power our operations in the future,” said MEHAIR managing director Siddharth Verma, “and we’re excited by what ZeroAvia’s technology offers and the progress demonstrated so far.”
ZeroAvia plans to certify the ZA600 by the end of 2025 and is already working closely with the UKs CAA as well as other regulators to ensure harmonization and rapid certification globally. ZeroAvia has secured over 2,000 hydrogen-electric engine pre-orders.