Toulouse, France

Beyond Aero reaches full-scale power with its TRL6 Hydrogen-Electric Propulsion System

Fullscale hydrogen-powered testing environment cements leadership in the field as the BYA-1 hydrogen-electric business aircraft remains on track for market entry.

Toulouse, France – October 1, 2025 - Beyond Aero, a world leader in hydrogen-electric propulsion for business aircraft, today is reaching Technology Readiness Level 6 (TRL6) for its hydrogen-electric powered aircraft. This achievement is validated by a full-scale propulsion system test campaign in a representative environment, a critical milestone moving Beyond Aero from laboratory promise to real-industrial viability. The TRL6 demonstration took place at Beyond Aero’s new integrated hydrogen-electric powertrain lab in Toulouse, France.

A state-of-the-art lab behind Full Power

Backed by $50M total funding, Beyond Aero’s new integrated hydrogen-electric powertrain lab is now among the world’s top three most powerful facilities of its kind. The lab replicates three representative channels with different fuel cell providers, with a capacity reaching 1200 kW across channels. The lab also entails on-site capability to compress, fill, store, and use hydrogen gas at 700 bar with Type IV tanks, ensuring industrial-grade safety and scalability. As well as flight-representative test benches for validation of system performance and certification-ready data gathering.

In addition, Beyond Aero’s acquired Universal Hydrogen’s intellectual property, flight data and assets. The company secured 100% of Universal Hydrogen’s patent portfolio, flight test and digital data, strategic test bench components (including electric turbocompressors), and key talent, representing over $90 million of prior investment. This acquisition provides Beyond Aero with proven designs and data that accelerate certification and de-risk integration. This strategic acquisition reinforced the in-flight environment knowledge of the company, completing TRL6.

Industrial validation with world-class partners and IP momentum

The propulsion system was validated in collaboration with leading aerospace suppliers. Key partners include EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies, whose NM20 platform provides the energy-conversion heart of the aircraft; FEV Aerospace, co-engineering the fuel cell system for stringent airworthiness and certification-ready performance; BrightLoop Converters, a specialist in high-performance aerospace DC-DC converters; and AVL, supplying full-system test center infrastructure to enable representative TRL6 campaigns and Dassault Systèmes for the virtual twins, aircraft, and powertrain.

In addition, this milestone was achieved in the respect of the certification compliance since Beyond was supported by Airbus Protect, which brings unmatched authority in safety analysis and certification services (including conducting Functional Hazard Assessments (FHA) and building safety cases for both aircraft and powertrain functions).

EASA signs on to Beyond Aero’s certification journey for the BYA-1 hydrogen-electric business jet

Beyond Aero is engaged with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) through Pre-Application Services (PAC). This proactive relationship de-risks certification by aligning test evidence and safety artifacts with CS-23-relevant paths for hydrogen-electric propulsion. Early authority dialogue is typical of novel propulsion programs and critical to establishing a certification basis. EASA’s engagement ensures Beyond Aero is not developing in isolation but building toward a recognized regulatory framework.

We’ve now reached TRL6, our hydrogen-electric propulsion works at full scale, with ground and in-flight data conditions. That’s 18 months of relentless teamwork, powered by an environment where ambition is matched by rigor and where every achievement is the result of collective determination. Leading such a talented, diverse, and purpose-driven team is both an honor and a responsibility.

Eloa Guillotin, CEO of Beyond Aero.

As EKPO we’re driving hydrogen solutions for a sustainable future. Our NM20 stack module, the most powerful in the EKPO stack family with 400 kW, is our next step toward CO2-neutral mobility. We are delighted that the increased efficiency of the NM20 stack from 48% to 57% at the rated power point has made a successful contribution, enabling Beyond Aero to achieve Technology Readiness Level 6 (TRL6) with its hydrogen-electric aircraft.

Dr. Stefan Dwenger, CCO of EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies GmbH

With this pre-application contract, EASA establishes an early and structured engagement with Beyond Aero on hydrogen propulsion technology. Our objective is to provide clarity on the applicable regulatory framework, address novel safety considerations, and ensure that certification activities progress in a consistent, structured and transparent manner. This proactive approach reflects EASA’s commitment to supporting innovation while maintaining the highest levels of safety and environmental protection in aviation.

Gianluca Mele, Program Manager, EASA

About EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies (EKPO)

EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies, headquartered in Dettingen/Erms (Germany), is a leading full-service supplier for PEM fuel cell stacks and components for heavy-duty applications, but also for a wider range of potential uses such as on- and off-highway vehicles as well as rail, aviation, marine, and stationary applications. Within this context, the joint venture is building on the development and industrialization expertise of two established international automotive suppliers – ElringKlinger and OPmobility. The aim of EKPO is to develop and mass-produce high-performance fuel cell stacks and components in order to further advance CO2-neutral mobility solutions and stationary applications.

About Beyond Aero

Beyond Aero is building the first electric business aircraft powered by hydrogen propulsion, enabling six passengers to fly up to 800 NM (1,500 km)—five times farther than a battery-powered aircraft. Founded in December 2020, the company is redesigning the architecture of a CS23 aircraft around hydrogen-electric propulsion, focusing on fuel cell technology, gaseous hydrogen tank integration, and advanced cooling systems. With offices in Toulouse, Paris, and Los Angeles, the startup boasts a team of over 80 highly qualified engineers from leading aerospace companies, actively recruiting more. Beyond Aero has secured over $50 million in funding, backed by investors such as Giant Ventures, Bpifrance, and prior supporters like Initialized Capital, Female Founders Found, and 7 Percent Ventures. Beyond Aero also completed Y Combinator in 2022. The company has secured $1bn in Letters of Intent (LOIs) and recently completed France’s first manned, fully hydrogen-electric flight. Beyond Aero is a member of the World Economic Forum’s First Movers Coalition and the Alliance for Zero Emission Aviation, underscoring its commitment to electrifying aviation with hydrogen propulsion.