Universal Hydrogen and Connect Airlines Join Forces to Create America’s First Zero-Emission Airline 

Universal Hydrogen and Connect Airlines Join Forces to Create America’s First Zero-Emission Airline 

Connect Airlines’ strategic investment in Universal Hydrogen provides a path to regularly scheduled zero-emission air travel

 Los Angeles, Calif. – December 8, 2021 – Universal Hydrogen Co., the company leading the fight to decarbonize aviation through the adoption of hydrogen as a universal fuel, and smarter startup airline Connect Airlines, today announced they have signed a letter of intent (LOI) for new green-energy propulsion that will enable Connect to soon become the first zero-emission US-based airline.   

 Universal Hydrogen is making hydrogen-powered commercial flight a near-term reality. Connect Airlines, a division of Waltzing Matilda Aviation, is in the final stages of its Department of Transportation certification process as a regularly scheduled airline and will begin service in the spring of 2022. Together, Universal Hydrogen and Connect Airlines will work to introduce true zero-emission regional aircraft into service in North America starting in 2025.

 Connect Airlines has committed to purchase 24 of Universal Hydrogen’s green hydrogen conversion kits, consisting of a firm order for 12 Dash 8-300 kits and purchase rights for 12 additional kits of other aircraft types. The conversion kits consist of a hydrogen fuel cell powertrain compatible with Universal Hydrogen’s modular capsule technology. For these aircraft, Universal Hydrogen targets installation of its conversion kits by 2025 and will subsequently supply green hydrogen fuel to the Connect Airlines fleet under a long-term agreement.

Connect Airlines will soon launch service using its “GreenJet” Dash 8 turboprop aircraft which will reduce fuel consumption and carbon footprint by approximately 35 percent versus the regional jets it replaces. The Connect Airlines fleet will transition to a true zero-emission operation after adopting Universal Hydrogen’s technology.

 “Connect Airlines flies smarter, that’s why we’re excited to partner with Universal Hydrogen to pursue our goal of being the first zero-emission airline in the United States,” said John Thomas, CEO, Connect Airlines. “In addition to this LOI, we were pleased to participate in Universal Hydrogen’s recent $62 million financing round.” 

 “The US is a laggard in its decarbonization efforts, and the US aviation industry is no exception,” said Paul Eremenko, co-founder and CEO of Universal Hydrogen. “That is why the bold step that Connect Airlines is making in being the first airline to commit to true zero-emissions operation in the relatively near term is so monumentally important.”

 

 About Universal Hydrogen

Universal Hydrogen is making hydrogen-powered commercial flight a near-term reality. The company takes a flexible, scalable, and capital-light approach to hydrogen logistics by transporting it in modular capsules over the existing freight network from green production sites to airports around the world. To accelerate market adoption, Universal Hydrogen is also developing a conversion kit to retrofit existing regional airplanes with a hydrogen-electric powertrain compatible with its modular capsule technology.

 About Waltzing Matilda Aviation / Connect Airlines

WMA is a Boston based FAA Part 135 jet charter operator (Certificate number 6WZA614N) in the certification process to add FAA Part 121 scheduled and non-scheduled services to its Air Operators Certificate under the Connect Airlines brand. WMA identified the need for a “smarter airline” and brought together aviation leaders and enthusiasts with over 150 years’ experience who share a common passion – to work and fly smarter. With the planes we fly, the technology we use, and the operations we run, Connect Airlines will deliver a quieter, cleaner, and healthier travel experience. Connect Airlines, the future of smarter, greener travel.

Waltzing Matilda Aviation Acquires Exec Air Montana Charter Business

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Waltzing Matilda Aviation Acquires Exec Air Montana Charter and Management Business

NEWS PROVIDED BY

Waltzing Matilda Aviation LLC 

Jan 12, 2021, 09:18 ET

BEDFORD, Mass., Jan. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Waltzing Matilda Aviation LLC (“WMA”) today announced the acquisition of majority ownership and management responsibility for Exec Air Montana’s aircraft charter and management (“ACM”) business at the Helena Regional Airport (“HLN”).

The acquisition accompanies the sale of Exec Air Montana’s full-service business aviation activities to Leading Edge Jet Center, a provider of business aviation and jet fueling services throughout the Pacific Northwest and Mountain West regions, including fixed base operations (“FBO”), a Part 145 aircraft repair station and Montana Medical Transport, a premier regional provider of air medical transport services.

Notably, Exec Air Montana is the only charter operator at the Helena Regional Airport, operating a fleet of six aircraft.

“This acquisition positions WMA with a great platform for growth,” said John Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of WMA. “Our partnership with Leading Edge Jet Center provides an opportunity to expand WMA’s presence in both the Pacific Northwest and Mountain West regions, strengthening our resilient value offering for customers. We are proud to bring WMA’s charter services, which grew over 80% above 2019 levels in 2020, to a new customer base at the Helena Regional Airport.”

About Leading Edge Jet Center

Leading Edge Jet Center delivers world-class business aviation and jet fueling services in the United States with bespoke customer care that focuses on providing a seamless travel experience. Offering a range of amenities from aircraft maintenance and storage, to ground transportation and hotel bookings, our passion for elevating the travel experience fuels a deep commitment to our clients and our communities. As a trusted aviation partner, Leading Edge Jet Center prides itself on delivering safe, comfortable and reliable service in all facets of our operations as we enable our customers and their businesses to soar to new heights. Please visit www.LeadingEdgeJet.com for more information.

About Waltzing Matilda Aviation

WMA is a Boston based FAA Part 135 jet charter operator (Certificate number 6WZA614N).  WMA began private (Part 91) operations in June 2008 and has operated thousands of hours of safe and reliable flying with a focus on delivering superior customer service.  WMA owns and operates both its own aircraft as well as managed aircraft.  WMA brings together a group of aviation professionals, many of whom have been involved in jet charter operations in the Boston area for over 20 years.  WMA is passionate about flying and dedicated to providing a high quality of service.

WMA was co-founded by John Thomas.  John has been actively involved in the aviation industry for the past 35 years, both as a senior operating executive as Group Executive at Virgin Australia Airlines and as a strategic advisor to the global aviation industry. He advised major airlines around the world as well as OEMs, Business & General Aviation, FBOs, airports, and ANSPs.  In addition to actively managing WMA, John sits on the Board of Skyservice, the largest Corporate aviation service provider in Canada, as well as the Board of Icelandair Group, and continues to provide advisory services to the broader aviation industry including as Senior Advisor to Spike Aerospace Inc., ATM Consultants Group, and CAPA Centre for Aviation.

Please visit www.wmaviation.org to learn more.

Contact:
John Thomas, CEO
(617) 763 3434
jthomas@wmaviation.org

SOURCE Waltzing Matilda Aviation LLC