Loganair aims to fly first Hydrogen electric Islander by 2027

Loganair (LM/LOG) has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Canfield Aerospace Solutions with the objective of operating the first hydrogen-electric powered BN Islander by 2027.

By supporting Project Fresson, the initiative to convert a BN Islander to hydrogen electric power, since its inception, Loganair is now strategically planning to operate the aircraft from its Kirkwall base.

This decision further reinforces Loganair’s dedication to achieving Net-Zero status by 2040, a remarkably ambitious goal that surpasses industry standards by a decade.

Paul Hutton, CEO, Cranfield Aerospace Solutions, said: “This Memorandum of Understanding marks a significant stride toward achieving zero-emission flight in the Orkney Islands and potentially enabling the first zero emissions passenger air service, right here in the UK. Collaborating closely with Loganair, we aim to harness our combined experience and expertise to address the operational and infrastructure considerations, ultimately ensuring the successful deployment of the hydrogen-electric Britten-Norman Islander across Loganair’s lifeline routes within the islands.”

The routes operated by Loganair across the Highlands and Islands of Scotland make it an ideal starting point for hydrogen electric flight while the technology matures for longer distances. The BN Islander already serves many of those routes.

Peter Simpson, Executive Chairman, Loganair, added:  “As an airline, we are doing everything we can to manage and mitigate the environmental impact of flying. Our Greenskies environmental programme, which offsets carbon emissions and invests in future flight technologies, is unique within the industry and our partnership with Cranfield Aerospace Solutions builds on the commitments we have made as part of this. 

“The short haul routes we operate in Orkney and the challenging weather conditions we face, make the ideal test bed for hydrogen-electric aircraft, and we are incredibly proud that we could be offering the world’s first commercial zero emissions flights.”