Universal Hydrogen Runs Out of Cash and Closes Business

Universal Hydrogen has abandoned its efforts to convert regional airliners to run on liquid hydrogen, with the U.S. start-up acknowledging over the weekend that it is closing the business. News of the company’s closure first broke in the Seattle Times on Saturday and then on Sunday its chairman and CEO, Mark Cousin, issued a public statement confirming the report.

American Firms Up Commitment for Hydrogen-powered CRJ700 Regional Jets

American Airlines has agreed to purchase 100 of ZeroAvia’s hydrogen-electric engines to convert 70-seat Bombardier CRJ700 regional jets. The conditional sales agreement was announced by the companies on July 2.

German Start-up ERC Unveils Emergency Medical eVTOL Aircraft

German start-up ERC-System this week unveiled plans to develop an eVTOL aircraft specifically designed for emergency medical flights. The company launched an aircraft called Charlie during an event in Munich on July 3 attended by Bavaria’s health minister, Judith Gerlach.

First eVTOL Air Services Do Not Mark the End of the AAM Race-to-Market

In the high-stakes advanced air mobility (AAM) race-to-market the wheat is now well and truly getting sorted from the chaff, and independent observers such as Alton Aviation Consultancy are now seeing with greater clarity how the market will unfold in the next couple of years. The Singapore-based group is actively helping multiple players secure now-harder-to-come-by funding and sharpen their strategies for an anticipated period of consolidation in a very crowded and hyped sector.

Helios Taking Electric Aircraft Higher

Helios Horizon is looking to take electric aviation quite literally to the next level as it steps up its efforts to prove the efficacy of operating at altitudes as high as 44,000 feet. The U.S.-based start-up is preparing to resume flight testing in the fall with a Pipistrel Taurus light aircraft converted to use its battery electric propulsion system in a bid to reach the higher flight levels it says will deliver longer range.

Eve Raises $94 Million in Fresh Funding for eVTOL Aircraft

Eve Air Mobility this week raised a further $94 million in funding to support its plans to bring a four-passenger eVTOL aircraft to market in 2026. The public company, in which Brazilian airframer Embraer is the majority shareholder, announced on July 1 that multiple undisclosed investors have supported a new equity financing round expected to close in the next few weeks.

China Southern Airlines Makes Plans To Operate eVTOL Aircraft

China Southern Airlines is planning to operate EHang’s EH216-S eVTOL aircraft for various commercial applications in and around the Zhuhai area under a new partnership with the manufacturer. On July 1, the carrier’s general aviation division signed a memorandum of understanding with Guangzhou-based EHang to work together on plans for flight operations and supporting the two-seat autonomous vehicle.

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