Beyond Aero to study hydrogen infrastructure at French and UK airports

Beyond Aero, developer of the fuel cell-powered BYA-1 business jet, is starting studies in France and the UK to look at hydrogen infrastructure and operational requirements. The six- to eight-passenger aircraft is expected to enter service in the early 2030s.

In France, the Toulouse-based company is working with Aeroports de la Cote d'Azur, which runs airports in Nice, Cannes and Saint-Tropez. The partners will assess hydrogen supply, storage, distribution and refuelling requirements at all three airports, with Cannes looked at first because of its business aviation volumes.

Work will include defining storage capacity, identifying suitable locations, developing operational concepts and analysing costs of different infrastructure solutions. Technical, operational, regulatory and economic factors will also be studied. According to the company, the studies will be based around gaseous hydrogen and will consider potential production on-site.