Commercial aviation

By offering hydrogen-powered flight, Conscious Aerospace provides a future-proof, scalable alternative for short-haul flight routes (up to 750 km).

Our efforts focus entirely on making hydrogen flight work for CS25 certified aircraft. This refers to airframes in the 19+ seater category and includes civilian aircraft typically seen at larger or commercial airports. Certifying CS25 aircraft requires the entire design, production, and process to be certified in addition to the airframe itself. While this is a bigger effort, the pay-off is that the CA2100 will be much more future-proof and will ensure that the shift to hydrogen-powered flight happens within a living global operational ecosystem. This is where it will have by far the most impact, both environmentally and economically.

Our CA2100 hydrogen-electric propulsion system is designed for integration into existing regional aircraft (starting with the De Havilland Dash 8-300), enabling operators to transition to near zero-emission flight without replacing their current fleets. This retrofit approach minimizes capital expenditure, extends aircraft life, and accelerates compliance with emerging emission regulations.

Typical Mission Profiles

The CA2100 is ideally suited for regional and short-haul routes, where short sectors and high frequency make sustainability and efficiency essential.

Think of connecting remote communities through Public Service Obligation (PSO) routes and Essential Air Service (EAS) programs — routes that are often publicly funded or strategically subsidized. These markets offer the perfect early opportunity for hydrogen propulsion: high utilization, short distances, and strong policy incentives for low-emission aviation.

Discover benefits

Selecting a usuable range of 750km covers almost all routes flown by existing Dash 8-300 fleets.

Range

Real missions require real solutions.

Upwards of 96% of Air New Zealand’s existing Dash 8-300 routes are possible with the CA2100 powertrain. Only 5 hydrogen refuelling hubs are needed to accommodate over 70% of routes.

Benefits for Airlines

Future regulatory readiness

Upcoming CO₂ and NOx regulations, airport environmental restrictions, and SAF blending mandates will increase operating costs for conventional fleets. Hydrogen propulsion enables compliance and eligibility for sustainability-linked incentives and subsidies.

Lower operating costs

Hydrogen-electric propulsion significantly reduces fuel and maintenance costs compared to conventional turboprops. Electric motors have fewer moving parts and lower wear, resulting in longer maintenance intervals and reduced downtime.

Fleet optimization, not replacement

The retrofit model allows airlines to upgrade existing airframes instead of purchasing new aircraft, lowering investment barriers and preserving residual value. Additionally, the current market is lacking new regional aircraft. This has many operators looking for ways to extend fleet lifetimes. This is a challenge retrofit solutions can address directly, combining sustainability with operational continuity.

Improved passenger and community perception

Operating clean-emission aircraft strengthens brand reputation and helps airlines meet environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitments. It also supports the decarbonization goals of local governments and airports.

Infrastructure and ecosystem support

Conscious Aerospace works with airports, energy providers, and regulatory partners to develop a hydrogen-ready ecosystem, ensuring seamless integration into airline operations. Through our Innovation Partnership Contract (IPC) with EASA, we contribute directly to defining the certification and safety standards for hydrogen propulsion in commercial aviation.

Want to know more?

Integrating our powertrains into existing aircraft accelerates the transition to sustainable aviation without having to wait for clean-sheet designs.

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