Universal Hydrogen has taken delivery of its first test aircraft, a Dash 8-300 from Elix Aviation Management. Elix has also signed an LOI with Universal Hydrogen to acquire ten conversion kits for the current and future Elix leased fleet as the lessor brings new decarbonization technology to its end users.

Under the LOI, Elix is purchasing ten of Universal Hydrogen’s conversion kits for installation in its existing and future turboprop aircraft fleet. Universal Hydrogen has provided Elix flexibility to select any combination of the Dash 8-300 or ATR 72-500/600 conversion kits within this ten unit order.

“Collaborating with Universal Hydrogen is a continuation of our streak of innovation in the aviation leasing industry,” said John Moore, CEO of Elix Aviation. “Universal Hydrogen’s mission to decarbonize aviation enables Elix to provide this opportunity to our airline customers to contribute to reducing carbon emissions as our industry continues to grow.”

The two companies have agreed to collaborate on the marketing of Universal Hydrogen’s fuel service and logistics solution to Elix’s customers. In the face of rising hydrocarbon fuel costs, particularly with evermore prevalent carbon taxes and offset obligations, green hydrogen is expected to be cost-competitive with Jet-A1 fuel by 2025, with subsequent further declining costs.

“As our order book continues to grow across commercial and cargo airlines, lessors and others, we are also focused on a key objective for 2022—first flight,” said Paul Eremenko, co-founder and CEO of Universal Hydrogen. “With this agreement with Elix we have secured our first flight test aircraft, which we are already busy working to convert to run on hydrogen at our Moses Lake, Washington facility.”