easyJet has partnered with Cranfield Aerospace Solutions (CAeS) to support the development of its hydrogen technologies for commercial aircraft.

The partnership will see easyJet support CAeS in the development of its hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system for an existing nine-seat Britten-Norman Islander aircraft, which the companies aim to fly by 2023.

CAeS will work with easyJet to understand how the adoption of zero-carbon technologies can be integrated with an airline’s operations.

Easyjet said it is “optimistic” it could begin flying customers on planes powered by hydrogen-combustion, hydrogen-electric or a hybrid of both by the mid to late-2030s.

“We know that technology is a key driver to achieve our decarbonisation targets with hydrogen propulsion a frontrunner for short-haul airlines like easyJet,” said easyJet’s director of flight operations David Morgan.

“We are dedicated to working with industry leading partners to support the development of these promising new technologies and we look forward collaborating with Cranfield Aerospace Solutions to support bringing this technology to maturity as early as possible.”

In November, easyJet joined ‘Race to Zero’, a global UN-backed campaign to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.