Airbus and MTU Aero Engines announce joint venture for hydrogen propulsion
Airbus and MTU Aero Engines announced on 7 July 2026 their intention to establish a joint venture to develop and bring to market a fully electric hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system for aircraft. The move follows a memorandum of understanding the two companies signed at the Paris Air Show in June 2025.
According to an Airbus press release issued in Toulouse, the new, independent and flexibly managed organisation is intended to accelerate technology development, design, testing and certification of a propulsion system based on a hydrogen fuel cell. Engineering and manufacturing teams from both parent companies are to be involved in running the company.
The agreement is not yet binding, and its implementation depends on the usual regulatory approvals and the completion of social processes at both European and national level. Airbus and MTU expect the joint venture to begin operations in 2027.
- Announcement date
- 7 July 2026
- MoU signed
- June 2025, Paris Air Show
- JV operations start
- 2027 (planned)
Bruno Fichefeux, head of Airbus's Future Programmes, said the planned joint venture is a further logical step towards the two companies' shared vision of hydrogen propulsion for aviation. He said combining the technologies and expertise of both firms creates a European force capable of turning advanced research into industrially viable and certifiable electric propulsion systems, which should support strategic self-sufficiency in the next generation of aviation technology and reinforce the long-term ZEROe ambition.
Dr Stefan Weber, Vice President Engineering and Technology at MTU Aero Engines, described the project's goal as developing a safe, reliable and economical propulsion system that will contribute to climate-neutral air travel. He said it marks a key milestone on the path to the first hydrogen engine and represents a genuine European technological first, with the new company set to cover the entire life cycle of fuel cell propulsion units, from development through testing and certification to commercialisation.
The release notes that in the long term, hydrogen could significantly reduce aviation's climate impact and transform air travel much as electric vehicles have transformed the car industry.
Division of responsibilities
- The joint venture is meant to emerge from the two companies' shared ambition to become the technology leader in the field and be the first to offer hydrogen fuel cell propulsion for a commercial aircraft.
- Airbus brings to the project extensive knowledge from commercial aircraft programmes and expertise in fuel cell and liquid hydrogen propulsion.
- MTU contributes years of experience developing fuel cell technology and recognised know-how in engine design, integration, validation, certification and maintenance.
- Beyond the engine technology itself, both companies want to support the development of a hydrogen aviation economy and the related regulatory framework.
A hydrogen fuel cell generates electricity through an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, with water vapour as the only by-product. According to notes for editors, in flight this technology would eliminate both carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, thereby helping to reduce aviation's climate impact.
Steps taken so far towards hydrogen propulsion
- Airbus announces focus on fuel cell technology The company decided to focus on a fully electric fuel cell propulsion system.
- Signing of the memorandum of understanding Airbus and MTU signed an MoU at the Paris Air Show.
- MTU completes key development steps Flying Fuel Cell design finalised, production of the demonstrator stack begun, eMoSys electric motor tested, first test rig launched in Munich.
- Joint venture announcement Airbus and MTU announced plans to form a JV to develop and commercialise the propulsion system.
- Planned JV operations start Start of operations is subject to regulatory approvals and social processes.