ZeroAvia is to provide its 600-kW ZA600 hydrogen powertrain for a stretched version of Otto Aviation's diesel-powered Celera 500L. The planned Celera 750L model could have a range of up to 1,000 nm and may be ready to enter service in 2027, two years after the six-seater 500L, which promises a range of 4,500 nm.

Regional carrier Air Nostrum is set to be the launch customer for Hybrid Air Vehicles' 100-seat airship, called the Airlander 10, with plans to take deliveries of 10 aircraft beginning in 2026. The aircraft, based on a large fabric hull filled with helium to provide lift, is expected to operate on routes of up to around 265 miles and at speeds of 86 mph. It is intended to be able to operate from city-center locations.

South Korea's Hanwha Systems is investing a further $145 million in Overair to increase funds available to bring the six-seat Butterfly eVTOL into commercial service in 2026. The California-based start-up says it is on track to achieve the key program milestone of starting flight tests with a conforming prototype in the second half of 2023.

Universal Hydrogen has drawn a firm order from prospective Massachusetts-based regional carrier Connect Airlines to covert 75 ATR 72-600 regional turboprops to hydrogen power. Connect Airlines, which still awaits U.S. Department of Transportation clearance to fly Dash 8-400s from points between the Northeast and Midwest U.S. cities and Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport, would take delivery of the first converted ATR in 2025.

Air transport information technology specialist SITA is equipping a vertiport testbed set up by Skyports at Cergy-Pontoise Airport near Paris to evaluate how eVTOL air taxi services can be smoothly operated. The partners want to demonstrate how biometric technology could effectively interface with flight booking apps to make boarding aircraft quick and easy.

Wisk has forged a partnership with local government leaders in the Australian state of Queensland to pave the way to fully autonomous eVTOL aircraft flights. This builds on similar work underway with stakeholders in New Zealand, where the company has been flight-testing its Cora technology demonstrator.

Ampaire is developing hybrid-electric propulsion systems with which to convert existing aircraft. As part of its wider business goal to expand electrification in aviation, the company is partnering with sustainable infrastructure specialist Black & Veatch to identify airports worldwide that are willing and able to establish green recharging capability using solar power and new energy storage techniques.

AutoFlight has released a new video showing test flights with its Prosperity I proof-of-concept eVTOL aircraft. The company has been flying the vehicle since April and says that in recent weeks it has conducted 30 transitions from hover to cruise flight. The aircraft shown in the video includes some modifications, including improvements to the lifting propellers and the replacement of two pushing propellers with a single, centrally-located unit powered by twin motors. The China-based company, which now has a Europe-based operation in Germany, says that it expects to complete the final design of the full-scale aircraft later this year.

Atea is a fixed-wing, hybrid electric eVTOL aircraft being developed by former Airbus E-Fan electric aircraft project leaders.