Embraer, Widerøe and Rolls-Royce Partner To Pursue Zero Emission Flight

The three partners will collaborate on a 12-month study of new technologies to decarbonize regional air travel.

To call the group a triumvirate might be a bit of an overstatement. However, they are indeed all major forces to be reckoned with when it comes to regional aviation; a segment projected to grow from $10.47 billion in 2021 to $16.58 billion in 2028. Furthermore, it is where we will undoubtedly see the first significant steps towards (near) carbon-free air travel.

On Thursday, Brazilian plane manufacturer Embraer, Scandinavian regional airline Widerøe, and pedigree engine-maker Rolls-Royce announced an R&D partnership to research innovative sustainable technologies for regional planes. Specifically, the 12-month collaboration study will focus on a conceptual zero-emissions aircraft.

The three companies say that they will share their in-depth knowledge of aircraft design, market demand, operations, and propulsion solutions to accelerate technologies necessary for the transition towards decarbonization. The study will cover a wide range of applications of available technological innovations, including all-electric, hydrogen fuel-cell, and hydrogen-fueled gas turbine-powered aircraft.

These are all concepts present in the Embraer Energia family concept aircraft, a set of four sustainable designs unveiled in November last year. Arjan Meijer, Chief Executive Officer of the Brazilian OEM, shared the following in a statement today,

"The aim of our collaboration is to create new flight solutions that serve expanded market segments in a sustainable manner. I strongly believe this could lead to fully sustainable connectivity, including (very) short haul intercity operations.”

Building viable business around zero emissions

This is not the first collaboration between Embraer and the largest regional airline in the Nordics, Widerøe. The two already have a partnership through Embraer EVE, the manufacturer's urban air mobility (UAM) innovation branch. Their collaboration was announced during COP 26 in Glasgow and aims to see Embraer's eVTOL vehicles launch into service in Norway by 2026. Andreas Aks, CEO of the airline's innovation subsidiary, Widerøe Zero, shared the following on Thursday,

"Working with the world’s leading aerospace technology firms, our aim is to understand how viable business can be built around zero-emissions regional concepts, and to advise the manufacturers on operational requirements and customer expectations to design the best possible and sustainable air mobility service.”

Rolls-Royce relishing the challenge

Rolls-Royce is also creating its fair share of sustainability partnerships. Right before the turn of the year, the company teamed up with easyJet to explore alternative energy and power solutions and their applications for commercial aircraft. That study commenced last month. It will run for up to two years, involving a broad range of industry stakeholders such as energy providers, airports, and aviation safety regulators.

The company also already has a partnership with Widerøe in place. Along with airframe constructor Tecnam, they will produce an all-electric passenger aircraft ready for service by 2026. Regarding the latest regional-specific coalition, Chris Cholerton, President for Civil Aerospace at Rolls-Royce, said,

“This is an exciting project which will shape our thinking on solutions for net-zero regional operation. As pioneers of power, this is the kind of engineering challenge that we relish. We have an excellent working relationship with both Embraer and Wideroe, and look forward to deepening our collaboration.”