ESG Today reports that the test flight is part of a series of initiatives from aviation companies that aim to prove that hydrogen-electric aircraft are safe and suitable for flights, as a way to cut the industry's emissions output.

ZeroAvia is a California-based company that's specialized in the development of hydrogen-electric commercial aircraft. Company officials say that the technology allows water vapors to be the only inflight "emissions", while highly-efficient electrical systems present other benefits.

KLM parent company Air France KLM Group presented its emissions reduction strategy back in 2022, planning to achieve a 30% reduction in emissions per passenger/km by 2030, while looking to become net-zero by 2050. Additionally, SAF (sustainable aviation fuels) could become a major player in the company's plans, as it wants to implement 10% SAF in all flights by 2030 and 63% by 2050.

James Peck, Chief Customer Officer, ZeroAvia, said that "the world’s largest airlines are diving in to explore hydrogen-electric as a potential solution with increasing seriousness. We can’t wait to work with KLM, being an airline with such rich history, as we look towards a clean future for the industry."

The test flight is expected to take place in 2026 between two unnamed airports and the aircraft will use ZeroAvia’s ZA2000 hydrogen-electric turboprop engines designed for large regional craft.