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• Hanneke Weitering
ZeroAvia plans to deliver its first ZA200 hydrogen fuel cell systems to customers in 2027 and begin series production in Scotland around the end of 2029, CEO Christine Ourmières-Widener said at the HySky Society’s annual Flying Hy hydrogen aviation summit.
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Hydrogen aviation companies are pursuing defense contracts, data-center power and airport ground equipment to generate revenue as certified hydrogen aircraft move further into the future. Speakers at the HySky Society’s Flying Hy 2026 symposium on November 4 described a near-term business focus beyond flying hydrogen-powered aircraft.
Unither is shifting its hydrogen helicopter effort to liquid hydrogen, with Tullahoma, Tennessee-based Gloyer-Taylor Laboratories building the cryogenic fuel tank. The move makes tank development a central part of the aircraft effort, though the available report provides no details on the tank’s capacity, schedule or performance.
ZeroAvia plans to deliver its first ZA200 hydrogen fuel cell systems to customers in 2027 and begin series production in Scotland around the end of 2029, CEO Christine Ourmières-Widener said at the HySky Society’s annual Flying Hy hydrogen aviation summit.
Hydrogen-powered business aircraft developer Beyond Aero expects to close its latest funding round by year-end as it advances the BYA-1 toward a potential market entry in the 2030s. The company says pre-orders have passed 200 units, while fuel-cell-powered business aircraft could enter service toward the beginning of the next decade.
Testing under the UK’s H2GEAR programme covered two components for a hydrogen-electric propulsion system. The initiative, funded by the Aerospace Technology Institute, is developing technologies intended to lower aviation emissions, though the announcement does not specify the components tested or report performance results.
The French start-up says new commitments support demand for an eight-seat business airplane powered by hydrogen. Beyond Aero is positioning the aircraft for private flyers seeking lower-emissions travel; the available report does not specify the number or value of the commitments.
Airbus commercial aircraft chief Lars Wagner says the company’s initial hydrogen fuel-cell airframe is likely to have around 80 seats and use propellers. He described the zero-emission design as “becoming a reality,” offering a clearer indication of the aircraft concept Airbus is pursuing.
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The FAA awarded $12 million to 19 companies for research and testing intended to safely expand drone operations in the national airspace. Separately, Raytheon received $729 million in counter-drone awards for the U.S., Qatar and Jordan, while other initiatives span autonomous interceptors, airport vehicle-collision prevention and the Pentagon’s Drone Dominance program.
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