FutureFlight

Though 2020 revenues were down 29 percent due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Airbus recommitted to its ambitious plans to bring a hydrogen-powered airliner into commercial service by 2035. CEO Guillaume Faury told reporters the ZeroE project is a high priority and that it intends to recruit new specialist partners to overcome the many challenges associated with the move towards environmental sustainability.

GKN Aerospace, which started life 262 years ago, is looking for new directions for its extensive aerospace business. The tier-one aerostructures supplier hasn't ruled out becoming a full-blown aircraft manufacturer, backed by the experience of companies it has acquired in recent years, such as Fokker of the Netherlands. But first, chief technology officer Russ Dunn says it needs to fully understand where the real opportunities lie for advanced air mobility.

Mission Aviation Fellowship, which operates around 130 aircraft worldwide providing relief to developing world communities, is examining how new electric aircraft could support its work while also making flight operations more environmentally sustainable. In March, the organization's Finland branch is holding a conference on the subject to raise awareness among stakeholders in its region.

Varon Vehicles is developing a package of infrastructure and services to support eVTOL aircraft operations. Initially, the Colombian company is targetting highly congested South American cities and intends to own and operate aircraft under a business-to-business model that would support consumer service providers.

French start-up Avions Mauboussin will need higher levels of investment to get its Alérion M1h and Alcyon M3c aircraft into commercial operations. To provide flexibility while hydrogen fueling infrastructure is put in place, the company intends to launch both fixed-wing aircraft with early hybrid versions that will burn existing jet-A fuel or sustainable aviation fuel.

Israel-based Urban Aeronautics is likely negotiating with UAE sovereign wealth fund Mubadala to forge a partnership with its Strata division, which might build the CityHawk VTOL model at its plant in Al Ain. In a solicitation for a $50 million Series A funding round, Urban Aeronautics shareholder the Besadno Group also touted prospective deals with the U.S. and Israeli militaries.

Ascendance Flight Technologies is pressing ahead with plans to have the Atea eVTOL aircraft ready to enter commercial service by 2025. The French start-up, formed by a group of young former Airbus engineers, plans to appoint key program partners during 2021 and will likely be in the market for a funding round before the end of 2022.

The air transport industry recognizes that it won't get hydrogen-powered aircraft into commercial service until there is the widespread infrastructure to support fuelling. Airbus has joined with the Air France-KLM airline group, Aeroports de Paris and the French capital's regional development agency to invite partners to join them to prepare Paris-area airports.

Pipistrel sees the Miniliner operating from short runways of no more than 1,000 meters in length that could be no more than grass landing strips. The company is evaluating several electric or hydrogen-based powertrain options for the aircraft and is open to partnerships.

To make the best use of the available power, eVTOL aircraft need to be lightweight, making composites a good choice for manufacturing. With high volumes of production anticipated, expertise in rapid, low-cost manufacturing is also significant, and Solvay claims to be able to deliver both assets to the advanced air mobility sector.