Airbus and MTU to Launch Joint Venture for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Aviation Engines in 2027

Airbus and MTU Aero Engines have announced plans to establish a joint venture dedicated to developing and commercializing hydrogen fuel cell powertrains for aircraft. The partnership, which is expected to commence in 2027 pending regulatory approval, aims to accelerate the design, development, testing, and certification of an innovative propulsion system based on hydrogen-electric technology. This move follows a memorandum of understanding signed at the previous year’s Paris Air Show, signaling a deepening collaboration between the two companies in sustainable aviation technology.

The new business entity, as yet unnamed, intends to pool the expertise and resources of Airbus, a leading aircraft manufacturer, and MTU Aero Engines, a key player in engine technology, to create what Airbus describes as a European powerhouse for hydrogen propulsion. Bruno Fichefeux, head of future programmes at Airbus, highlights that this joint venture represents a natural progression in realizing their shared vision of hydrogen-based propulsion concepts in the aviation sector.

Both Airbus and MTU already possess significant research programs investigating hydrogen propulsion technologies. Airbus, under its ZEROe initiative, has been exploring fuel cell powertrain architectures aiming to power aircraft capable of flying roughly 1,000 nautical miles with 100 passengers. The ZEROe concept includes four 2.4MW electric engines powered by hydrogen fuel cells to provide a zero-emission flight profile. Although Airbus slowed its hydrogen propulsion efforts in early 2025, it continues to advance fuel cell research, including upcoming tests of a more compact 1MW integrated powertrain to validate feasibility in 2026.

Meanwhile, MTU Aero Engines pursues two fuel cell propulsion projects. Its internally funded 'Flying Fuel Cell' program focuses on developing a 600kW powertrain incorporating an electric motor for aviation use. Additionally, MTU leads an EU-backed consortium called HEROPS working on a 1.2MW fuel cell powertrain ground demonstrator. MTU's ownership of electric motor manufacturer eMoSys further strengthens its capabilities to contribute to the new joint venture’s propulsion systems.

The partnership will leverage Airbus’s existing collaborations such as AeroStack, a joint venture with ElringKlinger aimed at developing aerospace-grade fuel cells. This network of projects underlines Airbus’s commitment to maturing hydrogen fuel cell technology for aerospace applications. The joint venture will seek to combine the engineering, testing, and certification strengths of both companies to transition from advanced research to industrialized, certifiable propulsion systems suitable for commercial use.

This development coincides with pending funding opportunities from initiatives like Clean Aviation, which has allocated €101 million toward hydrogen-related projects in its fourth call. These funds support demonstrations of advanced fuel cell propulsion components and powertrains under stringent testing conditions. Both Airbus and MTU plan to submit joint proposals responding to this call, with selected projects expected to initiate in early 2027, aligning with the timeline for the joint venture’s launch.

The timing and scale of this partnership reflect an accelerating trend within the aerospace industry to shift toward sustainable technologies amid regulatory and environmental pressures. Hydrogen fuel cell systems offer promising benefits, including zero carbon emissions from the powertrain and reduced noise pollution compared to conventional engines. Success in this field could enable future aircraft designs with improved environmental footprints, supporting aviation’s path to net-zero emissions.

By establishing a dedicated joint venture, Airbus and MTU aim to consolidate their developments and fast-track the maturity of hydrogen-electric propulsion. With the combined expertise in powertrain engineering, fuel cell technology, and certification processes, the alliance sets a foundation for pioneering clean propulsion technologies that could reshape medium-range air travel. The venture’s progression will be closely tied to regulatory approvals and demonstration projects funded through European aerospace innovation programs.