A center specializing in the development and production of hydrogen fuel cell systems for aircraft is being built on the site of Stuttgart-Echterdingen Airport. This will be managed by H2Fly.

The Hydrogen Aviation Center will be created as a central location with a research and development structure for companies and scientific institutes. The aim is that emission-free drive concepts for aviation can be researched and tested.

“With the Hydrogen Aviation Center, H2FLY is creating a crystallization point for the entire ecosystem of emission-free, electric flying with hydrogen. Developments and applications in the field of commercial, hydrogen-electric aviation are to be decisively advanced and cooperation with different partners is to be bundled. I am pleased that we can implement this groundbreaking, innovative project in partnership with Stuttgart Airport and with the support of the state of Baden-Württemberg," explains . Josef Kallo, co-founder and CEO of H2Fly.

The core of the Hydrogen Aviation Center will be a hangar with test stands, workshops, an integration environment for the installation and conversion of emission-free aircraft engines, workplaces and an open space for testing hydrogen technologies in aircraft demonstrators. This infrastructure should enable the development of components and sub-systems in the megawatt range as well as the integration and test operation of hydrogen-electric powertrains.

Technological developments require close cooperation between a wide variety of companies and scientific institutes. Interested organizations can use the research and development infrastructure. The Hydrogen Aviation Center is to become the linchpin of this cooperation and strengthen close cooperation. Commissioning is planned for the end of 2024.

“We have been funding research into hydrogen in aviation for many years. The Hydrogen Aviation Center at STR is an important step on the way 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," says Airport Manager Walter Schoefer.

Nico Buchholz, CCO, Deutsche Aircraft said: “The future is now: that's why Deutsche Aircraft is working with partners like H2FLY on disruptive technologies for regional commercial aircraft. In addition to our know-how, we use the proven D328 as a flying laboratory for practical tests with props, also for testing hydrogen-electric drives for future aircraft generations. In addition, Deutsche Aircraft is planning the first step towards sustainability with Power328Liquid jet fuel made from green hydrogen with the D4eco – approval planned for Q2026/2. This makes it clear: Hydrogen is an important game changer in our business, both today as a resource and in the future as a possible fuel.”