DAT A/S, Everfuel A/S and Universal Hydrogen Co. have announced a collaborative agreement to transform regional aviation in Denmark by enabling completely zero-emissions flights using clean hydrogen by the end of 2025.
The three companies will combine their respective expertise in flight operations, hydrogen fuel production, and hydrogen logistics and aircraft propulsion to bring into service hydrogen-powered ATR 72-600 regional aircraft on DAT routes in Denmark, with the goal of converting all of DAT's domestic flights to true zero emission flights by 2030.
DAT A/S is an experienced regional operator transporting close to 1 million passengers every year within Denmark, and to destinations across Europe. It plans to use ATR 72s converted using Universal Hydrogen technology. These aircraft will accommodate 56 passengers following conversion to hydrogen. Universal Hydrogen will also provide fuel services to supply green hydrogen produced by Everfuel using modular capsules, without the need for changes to existing airport infrastructure.
"The domestic flight of the future in Denmark can become 100% emission-free via hydrogen-powered aircraft," said DAT Director, Jesper Rungholm. "Universal Hydrogen is in the advanced stages of developing a modification for our regional aircraft type, the ATR 72, making this possible as early as 2025. It will be perfectly suited to typical flight distances in Denmark and we are sure that customers will value flights that only emit clean water."
The green hydrogen will be produced by Everfuel, an energy production and distribution company based in Herning. The hydrogen will be produced based on renewable energy at Everfuel’s first Power-to-X (PtX) plant in Fredericia.
“At Everfuel, we are excited about the new collaboration, as our entire mission is to achieve a fossil-free society,” said Everfuel CEO, Jacob Krogsgaard. “This applies particularly to the airline industry, where action must be taken now if we are to avoid exacerbating the climate crisis. The new consortium can deliver the whole package, where our role is to deliver the green hydrogen. Then our partners utilise the hydrogen in the planes, as hydrogen-based planes are the best use of resources if we are to achieve emission-free domestic flights."
The collaborative effort between the three companies follows the Government of Denmark’s request for tender, to develop zero-emission commercial flights in Denmark.
“Collectively DAT, Everfuel, and Universal Hydrogen, possess the expertise needed to achieve Denmark’s ambitious target of achieving not just net zero but true zero emissions commercial flight as early as 2025,” said Paul Eremenko, Co-Founder and CEO of Universal Hydrogen. “DAT’s domestic network is a perfect early application for hydrogen fuel, and with the support of Everfuel, we can rapidly develop a complete hydrogen ecosystem in Denmark to usher in a new golden age of aviation built on clean flight.”