EcoJet Airlines, the Scottish start-up promoted as the world’s first zero-emission regional carrier, has collapsed into voluntary liquidation without ever operating a commercial passenger flight.
Founded in Edinburgh in 2023 by prominent Labour Party donor Dale Vince OBE, who has given more than £5 million to the party, alongside former pilot Brent Smith, EcoJet aimed to retrofit existing aircraft such as Twin Otters and ATR 72s with hydrogen-electric powertrains developed in partnership with ZeroAvia.
The technology was intended to produce zero carbon dioxide emissions, with only water vapour as exhaust, captured to reduce contrails, and was projected to avoid around 90,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually by converting conventional planes rather than building new ones.
The airline’s initial route was planned between Edinburgh and Southampton, with ambitions extending to other UK domestic services, mainland Europe and eventually longer-haul operations.
Vince described the project at launch as “a vital frontier in the move to net zero” and “absolutely doable … a matter of when, not if”.
Despite the high-profile “green” credentials and political alignment, EcoJet struggled with technological, regulatory and funding challenges.
Commercial flights, initially targeted for 2024, were repeatedly delayed.
In January 2025, the company laid off almost its entire workforce and paused operations indefinitely.
A final attempt to raise around £20 million (€23 million) from new investors failed, leading to a petition at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in late January 2026 for voluntary liquidation.
Provisional joint liquidators Paul Dounis and Mark Harper of Opus Restructuring were appointed following the board’s decision.
The company, described as a start-up with no material assets, has no ongoing operations; shareholders agreed to fund the liquidation to ensure employees received full statutory entitlements.
All planned flights were formally cancelled.
Vince told The Telegraph late in January that Ecotricity remained committed to electrifying transport, calling aviation “the last frontier and the hardest”, while attributing the halt to the time required for technology and certification alignment.
He framed the decision as a “pause” rather than abandonment of the concept.
EcoJet is not the only UK airline in trouble, according to the UK Civil Aviation Authority. Three others also closed the books in recent months.
Vince OBE is also the founder of Ecotricity, widely regarded as the UK’s first green energy supplier and one of the pioneers of 100 per cent renewable electricity provision.
Starting as an off-grid New Age traveller in the 1990s, he built his own wind turbine and launched Ecotricity in 1995, growing it into a major player in wind, solar and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
He was awarded an OBE for services to the environment, serves as a UN Climate Champion and has donated significantly to green causes and the Labour Party.
Vince also owns and chairs Forest Green Rovers FC, transforming it into the world’s first carbon-neutral football club with a fully vegan menu, renewable-powered stadium, sustainable kits and plans for an eco-friendly new ground.
