Bankstown Airport in the Southern Hemisphere has made history by becoming the first airport to introduce hydrogen fuel for aviation. Currently, ground testing is underway for AMSL Aero’s Vertiia eVTOL aircraft at Bankstown, with hydrogen fuel cylinders on-site and actively used. This milestone has positioned Bankstown Airport as the forefront for the future of Australian aviation.
Daniel Jarosch, CEO of Aeria Management Group, the owner of Bankstown Airport, sees this development as an opportunity for Australia to lead the way in advancing sustainable aircraft technology. Jarosch believes that the adoption of Advanced Air Mobility aircraft powered by hydrogen will revolutionize the way people travel, live, and work, leading to faster freight deliveries, improved city commuting, and greater connectivity for regional and rural areas.
AMSL Aero’s Vertiia, an electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, aims to achieve a range of up to 1000km when powered by hydrogen. After successfully hovering last year, the aircraft is scheduled for its first test flight in 2025, with commercial flights planned for 2027.
AMSL Aero CEO Max York emphasizes that the collaboration with Bankstown Airport is a significant milestone for Vertiia. He believes that Australia’s commitment to hydrogen as an aviation fuel will position the country as a key player in the global transition towards sustainable aviation. The partnership also aligns with AMSL Aero’s objectives to improve the lives of Australians through long-distance aeromedical, passenger, cargo, and firefighting flights, particularly in remote areas.
Vertiia, equipped with eight tilting wings, can carry up to four passengers and a pilot. It has the flexibility to take off from helipads or similar-sized landing sites and provide on-demand services between regional locations at speeds of up to 300km/h.
AMSL Aero received $5.43 million in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to develop hydrogen fuel cell technology for Vertiia. In February 2024, the eVTOL secured its first commercial customer, Aviation Logistics, a general aviation and regional airline group.
By embracing hydrogen fuel for aviation, Bankstown Airport and AMSL Aero are paving the way for a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future of air travel. Australia’s leadership in this area will contribute to reducing the environmental impact of aviation and opening up new possibilities for efficient and eco-friendly transportation.
Bankstown Airport in the Southern Hemisphere has become the first airport to introduce hydrogen fuel for aviation. The airport is currently conducting ground testing for AMSL Aero’s Vertiia eVTOL aircraft, which is powered by hydrogen fuel. This milestone establishes Bankstown Airport as a frontrunner in sustainable aircraft technology in Australia.
The CEO of Aeria Management Group, the owner of Bankstown Airport, Daniel Jarosch, believes that this development presents an opportunity for Australia to lead the way in advancing sustainable aircraft technology. He envisions the adoption of Advanced Air Mobility aircraft powered by hydrogen revolutionizing travel, work, and urban commuting, enabling faster freight deliveries and improved connectivity for regional and rural areas.
AMSL Aero’s Vertiia is an electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft that aims to achieve a range of up to 1000km when powered by hydrogen. The aircraft successfully hovered last year and is scheduled for its first test flight in 2025, with commercial flights planned for 2027.
The collaboration between AMSL Aero and Bankstown Airport is seen as a significant milestone for Vertiia, according to AMSL Aero CEO Max York. He believes that Australia’s commitment to hydrogen as an aviation fuel will position the country as a key player in the global transition toward sustainable aviation. This partnership also aligns with AMSL Aero’s objectives to improve the lives of Australians through long-distance aeromedical, passenger, cargo, and firefighting flights, especially in remote areas.
Vertiia is equipped with eight tilting wings and can accommodate up to four passengers and a pilot. It has the flexibility to take off from helipads or similarly-sized landing sites, offering on-demand services between regional locations at speeds of up to 300km/h.
In support of Vertiia’s development, AMSL Aero received $5.43 million in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to develop hydrogen fuel cell technology. The aircraft secured its first commercial customer, Aviation Logistics, a general aviation and regional airline group, in February 2024.
The adoption of hydrogen fuel for aviation by Bankstown Airport and AMSL Aero is a significant step toward a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future of air travel. Australia’s leadership in this area will contribute to reducing the environmental impact of aviation and creating new possibilities for efficient and eco-friendly transportation.
Key terms:
– Hydrogen fuel: Fuel derived from hydrogen, which can be used as an alternative to conventional fossil fuels.
– eVTOL: Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircraft, which can take off and land vertically using electric propulsion.
– Advanced Air Mobility: Refers to the use of electric, autonomous, and hydrogen-powered aircraft to revolutionize transportation systems.
Related links:
– U.S. Department of Energy Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Program
– What does the future of hydrogen look like?
– Hydrogen technology gaining pace for sustainable energy transition