“Green” floatplanes in the Spanish Canary Islands
Aviation – Surcar Airlines plans hydrogen-powered Canary Islands’ tourist flights
by Charles Alcock, Senior Editor at FutureFlight News
Surcar Airlines is aiming to launch zero-emissions regional air services between the Canary Islands with hydrogen-powered Twin Otter amphibious aircraft. Under an agreement announced on August 2, the start-up said it will convert its fleet to use ZeroAvia’s 600-kilowatt ZA600 hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system.
Planned flights will include sightseeing trips between Spain’s Canary Islands off the Atlantic coast of North Africa. Surcar had intended to launch scheduled services in 2022 but has yet to begin operations with an unspecified number of DHC-6-300 twin turboprop seaplanes.
Surcar Airlines has financial backing from several investors, including Danish operator Nordic Seaplanes. “Millions of visitors arrive each year to see the incredible natural beauty and World Heritage Sites here in the Canary Islands,” said Surcar Airlines CEO and founder Gerardo Morales-Hierro. “Climate change threatens this and our way of life. Working with ZeroAvia will help us to deliver cleaner flights, while also fostering positive impacts on the local community and the environment.”
In December 2021, ZeroAvia signed a memorandum of understanding with De Havilland of Canada, which holds the type certificate for the Twin Otter. The company expects to complete type certification of the ZA600 and will convert a variety of nine- to 19-seat aircraft under supplemental type certificates. It recently completed a series of 10 flight tests using a Dornier 228 aircraft as a technology demonstrator. [August 2, 2023]
The FutureFlight editorial team is led by AIN senior editor Charles Alcock. Charles has been an aviation journalist for over 30 years. He has held multiple roles with the AIN Media Group including editor-in-chief. In his new UK-based role, he brings his vast experience, and set of global connections to untangling and clarifying all the latest developments in the advanced ‘eco-friendly’ air mobility market. https://www.futureflight.aero/