Ecojet Airlines (Edinburgh), formerly known as Fresh Airlines, has changed its launch plans and now expects to start operations in 2025 with ATR72-600s, according to CEO Brent Smith.
The company, which had initially announced an early 2024 launch with flights between Edinburgh and Southampton and a promised 100% cut in CO2 emissions in the long run, now says the launch is taking time because it wants to “get it right,” Smith told FlightGlobal. He added that when the launch was first announced for this year it seemed like it was achievable, but the team opted to do additional work ahead of commencing.
According to Smith, Ecojet has applied for an air operator’s certificate (AOC) from the UK Civil Aviation Authority. The start-up’s IATA designation and callsigns are expected to be announced soon.
Besides the ATR72-600, Ecojet plans on operating DHC-6 Twin Otters that could later be converted to use hydrogen-electric engines from ZeroAvia (Hollister Municipal). However, Smith does not expect the second aircraft type to enter service in the first year or two. Speaking earlier this year, Smith’s co-owner and British green energy tycoon Dale Vince claimed that by retrofitting old aircraft an additional 90,000 tonnes of carbon could be saved per year.
When the company initially announced its launch, it said it would be the world’s first electric airline. Smith expects Ecojet will be able to fly its first commercial flights with green hydrogen in 2026 using ZeroAvia’s technology.
ZeroAvia’s ZA600 powertrain has yet to be approved. It will eventually be suited for the Twin Otter, but its entry into service is planned for the Cessna (single turboprop) 208B Caravan in 2026.
Ecojet announced at the Farnborough International Airshow that it agreed with ZeroAvia to purchase up to 62 ZA2000 powertrains (intended for the ATRs), 22 of which are firm orders and 40 options. The ZA2000 is not expected to enter into service before 2027.
In September 2023, business accelerator AMG Ventures, led by industry veteran Peter Davies, purchased a minority share in Ecojet. Other shareholders include Smith, a former flybe. pilot, and Vince.
