British Airways has teamed up with ZeroAvia in a project to explore how hydrogen-powered aircraft can play a leading role in the future of sustainable flying. Courtesy: BA.
British Airways has teamed up with ZeroAvia in a project to explore how hydrogen-powered aircraft can play a leading role in the future of sustainable flying. Courtesy: BA.
British Airways has teamed up with ZeroAvia in a project to explore how hydrogen-powered aircraft can play a leading role in the future of sustainable flying. Courtesy: BA.
British Airways has teamed up with ZeroAvia in a project to explore how hydrogen-powered aircraft can play a leading role in the future of sustainable flying. Courtesy: BA.

British Airways teams up with ZeroAvia for hydrogen-powered flights


Deena Kamel
  • English
  • Arabic

British Airways is teaming up with start-up ZeroAvia to explore the possibilities of using hydrogen to power commercial jets as it works to meet its parent company's target to be carbon neutral by 2050.

The partnership will see the legacy carrier collaborate with the hydrogen aircraft start-up to explore more sustainable options to fuel British Airways' future fleet, it said in a statement on Saturday.

"In the medium to longer term we’re investing in the development of sustainable aviation fuel and looking at how we can help accelerate the growth of new technologies such as zero emissions hydrogen-powered aircraft," Sean Doyle, chief executive of British Airways, said.

The aviation industry is under high pressure from climate change activists to be more environment friendly but the global airlines' main lobby group says aviation only represents 2 per cent of global CO2 emissions. The International Air Transport Association pledged to cut net emissions by 2050 and achieve carbon-neutral growth from 2020.

The project is part of British Airways parent IAG’s Hangar 51 technology accelerator programme, which gives start-ups from around the world the opportunity to test their products on a global scale.

ZeroAvia, which is based in London and California, has already completed a hydrogen fuel cell-powered flight by a six-seater plane in September. The company is aiming to demonstrate its technology at longer ranges and larger aircraft next year.

By 2023, it aims to fly more than 1,000-miles in aircraft with more than 100 seats.

"We have found that in addition to improving the sustainability of flight, which is vital, hydrogen-electric technology has the potential to lower operating costs and improve the in-flight passenger experience," Sergey Kiselev, ZeroAvia’s ZeroAvia's head of Europe, said.

  • The HY4 fuel cell zero-emission aircraft stands on its parking position at the airport in Stuttgart, southern Germany. Christoph Schmidt / EPA
    The HY4 fuel cell zero-emission aircraft stands on its parking position at the airport in Stuttgart, southern Germany. Christoph Schmidt / EPA
  • HY4 flies in clear skies during its world premiere above the airport. Christoph Schmidt / EPA
    HY4 flies in clear skies during its world premiere above the airport. Christoph Schmidt / EPA
  • The cockpit of the HY4. Christoph Schmidt / EPA
    The cockpit of the HY4. Christoph Schmidt / EPA
  • The HY4 is the world’s first aircraft powered solely by a hydrogen fuel cell system. It has the capacity to carry four passengers. Christoph Schmidt / EPA
    The HY4 is the world’s first aircraft powered solely by a hydrogen fuel cell system. It has the capacity to carry four passengers. Christoph Schmidt / EPA
  • The HY4 is the world’s first aircraft powered solely by a hydrogen fuel cell system. It has the capacity to carry four passengers. Christoph Schmidt / AFP
    The HY4 is the world’s first aircraft powered solely by a hydrogen fuel cell system. It has the capacity to carry four passengers. Christoph Schmidt / AFP
  • The 'blended wing' concept would see the wings merged with the plane's main body and its wide fuselage could be customised either for storing hydrogen or for different cabin layouts. Like the turbofan design, it would be capable of travelling more than 1,000 nautical miles. Airbus
    The 'blended wing' concept would see the wings merged with the plane's main body and its wide fuselage could be customised either for storing hydrogen or for different cabin layouts. Like the turbofan design, it would be capable of travelling more than 1,000 nautical miles. Airbus
  • The turbofan design would be powered by a modified gas engine running on hydrogen. It would be capable of travelling transcontinentally, covering distances of more than 2,000 nautical miles and carrying between 120-200 passengers. Courtesy of Airbus
    The turbofan design would be powered by a modified gas engine running on hydrogen. It would be capable of travelling transcontinentally, covering distances of more than 2,000 nautical miles and carrying between 120-200 passengers. Courtesy of Airbus
  • The turboprop design would be capable of carrying up to 100 passengers and travelling about 1,000 nautical miles. AFP / Airbus
    The turboprop design would be capable of carrying up to 100 passengers and travelling about 1,000 nautical miles. AFP / Airbus
  • The HY4 is the world’s first aircraft powered solely by a hydrogen fuel cell system. It has the capacity to carry four passengers. Christoph Schmidt / AFP
    The HY4 is the world’s first aircraft powered solely by a hydrogen fuel cell system. It has the capacity to carry four passengers. Christoph Schmidt / AFP
  • World’s first hydrogen powered commercial flight takes off. Courtesy ZeroAvia
    World’s first hydrogen powered commercial flight takes off. Courtesy ZeroAvia
  • British Airways has teamed up with ZeroAvia, a leading innovator in decarbonising commercial aviation, in a project to explore how hydrogen-powered aircraft can play a leading role in the future of sustainable flying. The collaboration, which reflects the importance of sustainability at British Airways, will see ZeroAvia embedded in the heart of the airline. The team will work remotely alongside mentors and experts to explore the transformational possibilities of moving from fossil fuels to zero-emission hydrogen to power the airline’s future fleet.
    British Airways has teamed up with ZeroAvia, a leading innovator in decarbonising commercial aviation, in a project to explore how hydrogen-powered aircraft can play a leading role in the future of sustainable flying. The collaboration, which reflects the importance of sustainability at British Airways, will see ZeroAvia embedded in the heart of the airline. The team will work remotely alongside mentors and experts to explore the transformational possibilities of moving from fossil fuels to zero-emission hydrogen to power the airline’s future fleet.
  • British Airways has teamed up with ZeroAvia, a leading innovator in decarbonising commercial aviation, in a project to explore how hydrogen-powered aircraft can play a leading role in the future of sustainable flying. The collaboration, which reflects the importance of sustainability at British Airways, will see ZeroAvia embedded in the heart of the airline. The team will work remotely alongside mentors and experts to explore the transformational possibilities of moving from fossil fuels to zero-emission hydrogen to power the airline’s future fleet.
    British Airways has teamed up with ZeroAvia, a leading innovator in decarbonising commercial aviation, in a project to explore how hydrogen-powered aircraft can play a leading role in the future of sustainable flying. The collaboration, which reflects the importance of sustainability at British Airways, will see ZeroAvia embedded in the heart of the airline. The team will work remotely alongside mentors and experts to explore the transformational possibilities of moving from fossil fuels to zero-emission hydrogen to power the airline’s future fleet.
  • British Airways has teamed up with ZeroAvia in a project to explore how hydrogen-powered aircraft can play a leading role in the future of sustainable flying. Courtesy: BA.
    British Airways has teamed up with ZeroAvia in a project to explore how hydrogen-powered aircraft can play a leading role in the future of sustainable flying. Courtesy: BA.
  • World’s first hydrogen powered commercial flight takes off. Courtesy ZeroAvia
    World’s first hydrogen powered commercial flight takes off. Courtesy ZeroAvia

At the end of the programme, research and learnings from the project will be shared and the ZeroAvia and Hangar 51 teams will consider how the partnership will progress over the long term, according to the statement.

Hydrogen is rapidly emerging as a potential solution to tackle aviation's carbon emissions.

Toulouse-based aircraft-manufacturing giant Airbus earlier revealed plans to build a hydrogen-powered aircraft as it seeks to bring the world's first emissions-free passenger plane into service by 2035.

However, challenges to such projects include infrastructure at airports, increased funding for research and development, and incentives for airlines to retire older, less environmentally-friendly aircraft earlier than scheduled.

Our legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Manchester City (0) v Liverpool (3)

Uefa Champions League, quarter-final, second leg

Where: Etihad Stadium
When: Tuesday, 10.45pm
Live on beIN Sports HD

Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill

Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.

The rules on fostering in the UAE

A foster couple or family must:

  • be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
  • not be younger than 25 years old
  • not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
  • be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
  • have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
  • undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
  • A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

Fixtures:

Thursday:
Hatta v Al Jazira, 4.55pm
Al Wasl v Dibba, 7.45pm

Friday:
Al Dhafra v Al Nasr, 5.05pm
Shabab Al Ahli Dubai v Al Wahda, 7.45pm

Saturday:
Ajman v Emirates, 4.55pm
Al Ain v Sharjah, 7.45pm