Beyond Aero Releases Plans for Hydrogen Bizjet Factory

French start-up Beyond Aero has laid out plans for the factory in which it intends to manufacture its in-development hybrid-electric business jet. Yesterday, the Toulouse-based company released a feasibility study developed with architectural specialists at Porsche Consulting and Kardham Group.

According to the partners, the proposed facility will have initial capacity to produce 60 of the eight-seat BYA-1 aircraft each year, rising to 120 units as manufacturing ramps up. Beyond Aero said it expects to create 225 production jobs in a 183,000-sq-ft final assembly line, with an adjoining paint shop, research and development space, showroom, and delivery center.

In October, Beyond Aero reported that it had achieved technology readiness level 6 for the BYA-1’s hydrogen propulsion system. Its engineering team is now working on the preliminary design review for the aircraft, which it aims to bring to market in 2030 with a projected range of 800 nm.

According to the company, it holds letters of intent from prospective customers valued at more than $1 billion and employs 80 people. It is now evaluating possible locations for the proposed factories, with several sites in France and other parts of Europe being considered.