Airbus announced it is forming a joint venture with MTU Aero Engines to develop and commercialize a fully electric hydrogen fuel cell jet engine. The two companies are already collaborating to research hydrogen fuel cell engines, drawing on Airbus’ expertise with commercial aircraft architecture and MTU’s engine design and integration capabilities.

Conceptually, the fully electric engine would draw its power from a fuel cell that uses hydrogen gas to generate electricity. Thus, the aircraft would be powered without burning fuel, releasing only water as emissions.

The partners began their collaboration toward a zero-emission hydrogen aircraft in 2020, with MTU developing a “Flying Fuel Cell” concept.

Last year Airbus settled on hydrogen fuel-cell technology over hydrogen combustion as the propulsion method for a future, carbon-free aircraft it aims to introduce.

With the joint venture to coordinate the commercialization strategy, Airbus and MTU aim to speed the technology development, design, testing, and certification of a new propulsion system.

“This project is a crucial milestone on our path to the first hydrogen-powered engine,” commented MTU Aero Engines senior vice president Dr. Stefan Weber. “To that end, we want to create a company that covers the entire life cycle of fuel cell powertrains – from development and testing through certification to commercialization.”

The two partners have not named the joint venture and did not indicate the financial terms of their new project, but reported it will start operations in 2027.

“Our planned joint venture is the next logical step in our shared vision of a hydrogen-based propulsion concept for aviation,” stated Airbus head of future programmes Bruno Fichefeux.

He continued: “By pooling our respective technology and expertise into a dedicated entity, we are establishing a European powerhouse capable of transforming advanced research into industrialized, certifiable electric propulsion systems. This new company will help secure strategic sovereignty in the next generation of aviation technologies while strengthening our ability to achieve the long-term ZEROe ambition."