ISSG zeros in on hydrogen power

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Another important step has been taken towards making zero-carbon flights to the Isles of Scilly commercially available.

This week, ahead of the United Nations COP26 Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, three companies jointly signed a Letter of Intent (LOI), cementing their commitment to bringing hydrogen-powered flights to the islands, making the zero-carbon vision a reality.

The Isles of Scilly Steamship Group (ISSG), Cranfield Aerospace Solutions (CAeS) and its partner Britten-Norman have vowed to work together to make the vision a reality.

Utilising Britten-Norman’s expertise as the original equipment manufacturer for one of the world’s most successful low-cost, short take off and landing, short-sector aircraft, CAeS is leading the collaboration under Project Fresson with a view to integrating hydrogen fuel cell technology into the Islander aircraft.

The Steamship Group, which has operated the Islander for many years, has sold one of its aircraft to CAeS to be retrofitted. It will further support Project Fresson by providing expertise gained from its own operations and its understanding of infrastructure requirements.

Stuart Reid, chief executive of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, which operates the airline Skybus, said: “This is an exciting development in the project, and one which we are proud to be a part of. The Letter of Intent for hydrogen aircraft really shows our commitment towards a zero-emission aviation industry and to becoming an early adopter of this cutting-edge technology.”