AMSL Aero plans hydrogen supply at Bankstown airport

Zero-emission long-range VTOL aircraft designer and manufacturer AMSL Aero has partnered with Aeria Management Group to provide hydrogen as an aviation fuel at Bankstown Airport in Sydney, in what the company calls a landmark moment for sustainable flight.

AMSL Aero manufactures the Vertiia passenger-capable vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft while Aeria Management Group (AMG) manages Bankstown Airport and Camden Airports in Sydney.

AMSL Aero will use the fuel to extend the range of its Vertiia aircraft to 1,000km, making Vertiia the longest-range in the world.

AMSL Aero is using cylinders containing hydrogen on-site at its main operations at Bankstown Airport to test the powertrain for Vertiia on the ground before integrating the fuel into the aircraft.

The company now plans to install hydrogen electrolysers, ahead of test-flying Vertiia using hydrogen fuel in 2025.

AMSL Aero CEO Max York said: “With AMSL Aero and Bankstown Airport leading the charge in adopting hydrogen as aviation fuel, Australia is poised to play a key role in the global transition towards sustainable aviation.

“This partnership is also a vital step towards our goals to improve the lives of Australians in the bush by enabling long-distance, efficient aeromedical, passenger, cargo and firefighting flights.

“Hydrogen holds immense potential as a clean and efficient fuel for aviation, offering zero-emission, longer distance flights that can significantly reduce the cost and carbon footprint of air travel.”

AMG CEO Daniel Jarosch said: “The landmark development of hydrogen-fuelled aircraft by AMSL Aero at Bankstown Airport puts us in the cockpit for shaping a more sustainable and innovative aviation ecosystem for future generations.”

Picture: AMSL Aero/Vertiia aircraft