KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has announced a partnership with ZeroAvia to conduct a demonstration flight in 2026 that will test the use of liquid hydrogen as a fuel for large regional turboprop aircraft. The flight will be powered by ZeroAvia's ZA2000 hydrogen-electric engines, showcasing a step forward in sustainable aviation technology. Maarten Koopmans, managing director of KLM subsidiary Cityhopper, emphasized KLM's commitment to driving industry change by supporting innovation in aviation. The collaboration between KLM and ZeroAvia aims to identify an optimal airport pair for the flight demonstration and secure the necessary regulatory permits and a supply of liquid hydrogen fuel. This initiative demonstrates ZeroAvia's leading role in developing hydrogen propulsion systems for aircraft and underscores the industry's shift towards cleaner energy sources. Sergey Kiselev, ZeroAvia's chief business officer, expressed excitement about working with KLM and praised the airline's rich history in the context of a cleaner future for the aviation sector. The development of hydrogen-electric engines, which emit only water vapour, aligns with KLM's sustainability strategy to have a significant portion of its fleet composed of new-generation aircraft by 2028. Additionally, the partnership follows a call from the International Council on Clean Transport for accelerated development of net-zero aircraft, including hydrogen-powered planes. This collaboration signifies a positive step towards achieving a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future in aviation.