ZeroAvia secures funding to support development of Norway’s hydrogen aviation ecosystem

British-American hydrogen-electric aircraft developer ZeroAvia has secured €21.4 million in funding from the European Union Innovation Fund to support the introduction of hydrogen-electric aircraft in Norway.

The project, named ODIN (Operations to Decarbonize Interconnectivity in Norway, but also the name of the chief god in Norse mythology), aims to retrofit 15 Cessna Caravan aircraft with ZeroAvia’s ZA600 hydrogen-electric engines, with commercial operations planned to begin in 2028.

In addition to aircraft retrofitting, the initiative includes developing hydrogen refuelling and storage infrastructure across 15 Norwegian airports. The hydrogen-electric planes are intended to replace kerosene-powered turboprops on cargo routes, with projected reductions in greenhouse gas emissions exceeding 95%.

The project effectively positions hydrogen-electric propulsion as a tangible pathway for decarbonising regional air transport, demonstrating how retrofitting existing aircraft and building supporting infrastructure can achieve near-zero emissions while maintaining operational efficiency.

ZeroAvia describes the initiative as the foundation of the largest zero-emission commercial flight network to date, with operator details to be confirmed later. ODIN is designed to validate both the technical performance and commercial viability of hydrogen-electric propulsion in regional aviation, with a longer-term goal of guiding adoption across Norway, the EU, and other international markets.

The European Commission has awarded the project the STEP Seal, confirming that it meets the criteria of the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), which aims to encourage investment in critical low-carbon technologies. The EU Innovation Fund, financed through revenues from the Emissions Trading System, supports projects capable of delivering significant greenhouse gas reductions.

ZeroAvia’s ZA600 powertrain uses hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity, producing water vapour as the only emission. The company has conducted flight tests with a prototype and is currently undertaking ground testing of the final design in preparation for certification. Regulatory engagement is ongoing with both the UK Civil Aviation Authority and the US Federal Aviation Administration.

Val Miftakhov, CEO and founder of ZeroAvia, highlighted the significance of the EU funding, “The EU Innovation Fund is notoriously competitive, with applications requiring rigorous assessment and compelling evidence of near-term greenhouse gas reductions. This project will set a phenomenal example by introducing a scaled network of hydrogen-electric aircraft operations, efficiently delivering vital goods across Norway without the typical associated environmental impact.”

Earlier this year, ZeroAvia announced plans to construct a manufacturing facility for hydrogen-electric powertrains at the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland near Glasgow Airport, supporting broader efforts to scale hydrogen propulsion technology for aviation.