H2FLY and Japan Airlines partner to bring sustainable hydrogen aviation to Japan
H2FLY has signed an agreement with Japan Airlines and JAL Engineering to research and evaluate the feasibility of hydrogen-electric aviation in Japan.
The partnership represents the company’s first expansion into the Asian markets, where it will explore the possibility of hydrogen-fueled flights across Japan’s regional routes.
In the coming months, the parties will collaborate on a study that explores the efficacy of hydrogen-powered fixed-wing aircraft in accordance with JAL’s commitment to reducing emissions from commercial flights.
The study will evaluate the powertrain requirements needed for varying distances of flights and aircraft size, as well as technical specifications according to JAL’s commercial operations. H2FLY will subsequently test and validate the findings of the study.
Professor Josef Kallo, CEO and co-founder of H2FLY, said: “At H2FLY, we have dedicated the past decade to making significant advancements in the development of our hydrogen technology for aircraft. We are honoured to be collaborating with Japan Airlines who are leading the way in securing a sustainable future for the aviation industry.”
Since Japan launched its Clean Growth Strategy in 2020, the country has prioritised its hydrogen infrastructure and development of hydrogen aircraft. Earlier this year, it was announced that the country would invest $107 billion in the hydrogen supply over the next fifteen years.
JAL Engineering, also known as JALEC, is responsible for the line and heavy maintenance, development and control of maintenance plan for the aircrafts operated by JAL group airlines, such as JAL, J‑AIR, Spring Japan and ZIPAIR Tokyo.
Based at Tokyo Haneda International Airport, Narita International Airport, and Osaka Itami International Airport, JALEC provides high-quality maintenance service including engines and components maintenance and supporting aviation safety through extensive knowledge and advanced technical skill developed by over years of experience.
Ryo Tamura, President of JALEC, said: “We highly admire the outstanding technology of H2FLY. Through this partnership, we’re moving forward to the realization of hydrogen-powered flight in Japan. Our collaboration lets us lead and contribute to safe and sustainable aviation in Japan.”
The agreement comes after H2FLY completed the world’s first piloted flight of liquid hydrogen-powered electric aircraft in September 2023.
The series of flights were completed with H2FLY’s piloted HY4 demonstrator aircraft, fitted with a hydrogen-electric fuel cell propulsion system and a liquid hydrogen tank system, doubling the maximum range of the HY4 aircraft from 750 km to 1,500 km. The campaign was the culmination of Project HEAVEN, a European-government-supported consortium, led by H2FLY.
H2FLY continues to lead the way in hydrogen-electric powertrain systems for aircraft, building and testing six generations of powertrains to date.