Agreements Technology

Embraer Wideroe and Rolls Royce to conduct special study on zero-emission aircraft

Advances in scientific research can make clean and renewable energy a significant enabler of a new era of regional aviation.
The three companies will share their combined in-depth knowledge of aircraft design, market demand, operations, and propulsion solutions.

Such technologies will allow national governments to continue to support passenger mobility while reusing most of the existing infrastructure more sustainably.

Embraer, Wideroe, and Rolls Royce will be conducting a 12-month cooperation study on a conceptual zero-emission regional aircraft. This study is in the context of pre-competitive research and development. It will address passenger requirements to stay connected in a post-Covid-19 world, but do so sustainably, and accelerate the knowledge of the technologies necessary for this transition.

Arjan Meijer, President and CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation said, “Technological innovations can potentially enable clean and renewable energy to power a new era of regional aviation. Our collaboration aims to create new flight solutions that serve expanded market segments sustainably. I strongly believe this could lead to fully sustainable connectivity, including (very) short-haul intercity operations.”

Andreas Aks, CEO of Widerøe Zero, a subsidiary of Widerøe AS, said, “We are excited to take part in this exciting research. Working with the world’s leading aerospace technology firms, we aim to understand how viable business can be built around zero-emissions regional concepts and to advise the manufacturers on operational requirements and customer expectations to design the best possible and sustainable air mobility service.”

Among other topics, the study will cover a wide range of applications for new propulsion technologies to examine a range of potential solutions – including all-electric, hydrogen fuel cell, or hydrogen-fueled gas turbine-powered aircraft.

Chris Cholerton, President – Civil Aerospace, Rolls-Royce, said, “This is an exciting project which will shape our thinking on solutions for net-zero regional operation. As pioneers of power, this is the kind of engineering challenge that we relish. We have an excellent working relationship with both Embraer and Wideroe and look forward to deepening our collaboration.”

Such technologies will allow national governments to continue to support passenger mobility while reusing most of the existing infrastructure more sustainably. Advances in scientific research can make clean and renewable energy a significant enabler of a new era of regional aviation. The three companies will share their combined in-depth knowledge of aircraft design, market demand, operations, and propulsion solutions to develop further their understanding of zero-emission technologies and how they can be matured and applied to future regional aircraft.