Set to be managed by H2FLY, the Stuttgart Airport-based centre is planned to offer a central facility for the development and testing of zero-emission hydrogen-electric aviation concepts.

Scheduled to open in late 2024, the centre is expected to comprise a hangar with test stands, workshops, and an integration environment for the installation and adaption of zero-emission aircraft propulsion systems and workstations.

Additionally, the site will offer an outdoor demonstration area to enable the development of megawatt-scale components and subsystems, as well as hydrogen-electric powertrain integration and test operations.

The German state of Baden-Württemberg is also supporting the project with €5.5m of funding from its Ministry of Transport. Winfried Kretschmann, Minister-President of the state, commented, “This project will enable our region to become not just a centre of R&D for hydrogen aircraft, but eventually also a manufacturing centre, and demonstrate how we are countering climate change with a spirit of innovation.”

Prof. Josef Kallo, co-founder and CEO of H2FLY said the centre would come as a “focal point” for the entire ecosystem of emission-free, hydrogen-electric flight. Adding, “Developments and applications in the field of commercial, hydrogen-electric aviation will thus be significantly advanced and collaboration with various partners will be pooled.”

Walter Schoefer, CEO of Flughafen Stuttgart, said, “The Hydrogen Aviation Center at Stuttgart Airport is an important stage on the road to zero-emission flying. Aviation urgently needs new answers to climate change. The Center of Excellence for Hydrogen in Aviation combines world-class science with a pioneering spirit and will make important contributions to the future of flying.”

Interested organisations have been invited to utilise the facilities.