Hydrogen-Electric Aircraft Poised to Redefine Sustainable Aviation
- HYSKY Society
- Aug 14
- 4 min read
Beyond Aero has introduced a purpose-built hydrogen-electric aircraft and a long-term roadmap that could transform business and regional aviation, paving the way for zero-emission commercial flight.
Clean-Sheet Hydrogen Aircraft to Lead Sustainable Aviation
With aviation contributing 3.5–4% of total climate change effects and emissions rising by 53% between 2000 and 2019, hydrogen-electric propulsion is emerging as a viable solution for achieving zero direct in-flight emissions. Beyond Aero, a French aerospace manufacturer, has unveiled the BYA-I, a six-seat hydrogen-electric aircraft optimized from the ground up for performance, efficiency, and manufacturability.
According to Valentin Chomel, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, and Jacques-Alexis Verrecchia, Product Head at Beyond Aero, battery-electric aircraft are fundamentally limited by energy density. Jet fuel contains ~12,000 Wh/kg, while current lithium batteries offer only ~250 Wh/kg. Hydrogen, when used in fuel cells, offers a higher specific energy and emits only water and heat — with no CO₂, NOx, or soot.
“Hydrogen-electric propulsion, integrated from the ground up in a clean-sheet aircraft, offers the most viable way forward for sustainable aviation,” wrote Chomel and Verrecchia.
Engineering for Efficiency: BYA-I and Digital Aviation Infrastructure
Rather than retrofitting legacy platforms, Beyond Aero designed the BYA-I as a clean-sheet aircraft tailored to hydrogen-electric architecture. It integrates fuel cells, hydrogen tanks, propulsion systems, and thermal management in a single cohesive structure. This design approach enables better weight distribution, cooling efficiency, and aerodynamic performance — key factors for safety, certification, and range.
The aircraft is intended to fly up to 800 nautical miles (1,500 km) with six occupants, far surpassing the range of battery-electric models in the same class. With an operating weight under 8.6 tons, the BYA-I qualifies for CS23/FAR23 certification, offering a streamlined path to regulatory approval.
Beyond Aero is also embedding digital systems into the aircraft architecture from the start. These include:
Sensor-based health monitoring
Fly-by-wire avionics
Cloud-based machine learning for fleet optimization
Edge computing for in-flight diagnostics and routing
This integration enables benefits like predictive maintenance, automated crew scheduling, and real-time performance optimization — leading to higher reliability and efficiency across operations.
Business Aviation: The Logical Starting Point
Business aviation is expected to be the first sector to adopt hydrogen-electric propulsion. More than 70% of business aviation flights are under 1,000 km — well within the BYA-I’s range. Aircraft under CS23/FAR23 certification face fewer regulatory hurdles and lower development costs.
Maintenance and fuel savings are also compelling. Hydrogen-electric systems avoid rotating turbines and high-temperature cycles, reducing wear and complexity. Project Fresson has demonstrated up to 50% propulsion maintenance cost savings. Beyond Aero’s early projections suggest over 20% lower operating costs compared to conventional turboprops or jets. Hydrogen fuel costs are also expected to reach parity with Jet A-1 by 2030.
Concerns around refueling infrastructure are being addressed. Global hydrogen refueling stations exceeded 1,000 by 2023, growing over 60% since 2021. The SAE AIR8466 report offers engineering guidelines for hydrogen infrastructure at airports, applicable to both gaseous and liquid hydrogen. Moreover, just 15% of business airports serve 90% of global business aviation traffic — allowing focused infrastructure rollout.
A Scalable Roadmap Through 2050
Beyond Aero’s roadmap outlines three development phases:
2020–2030 (Seed Phase): Certify the BYA-I under CS23/FAR23 and deploy initial hydrogen refueling systems at key business aviation hubs.
2030–2040 (Harvest Phase): Develop a 70-seat regional aircraft under CS25, leveraging advances in fuel cells and liquid hydrogen storage.
2040–2050 (Consolidation Phase): Launch a 150-seat commercial aircraft for high-frequency, short-haul routes that account for up to 24% of aviation emissions.
The roadmap is rooted in engineering realities and infrastructure constraints, targeting real-world missions that align with most existing traffic patterns. By leveraging hydrogen’s inherent efficiency and eliminating combustion, Beyond Aero is aiming for truly zero direct emissions in flight.
For more information
(Top image: Credit — Beyond Aero)
FAQ: Hydrogen Aviation, AAM, and Beyond Aero
Why is hydrogen-electric propulsion more promising than batteries for aviation?
Hydrogen has a much higher energy-to-weight ratio than batteries, enabling longer range without prohibitive weight increases.
What is the expected range of the BYA-I aircraft?
The BYA-I can fly up to 800 nautical miles (1,500 km), five times the typical range of comparable battery-electric aircraft.
What certification pathway is Beyond Aero using?
BYA-I will be certified under CS23/FAR23 regulations for aircraft under 8.6 tons, expediting time-to-market.
Are hydrogen refueling systems viable at airports?
Yes. SAE AIR8466 provides detailed engineering guidelines, and global refueling stations have grown significantly in recent years.
Why is business aviation the best starting point for hydrogen aircraft?
Shorter ranges, smaller aircraft, and lighter regulatory requirements make business aviation ideal for early deployment.
What are the emissions benefits of hydrogen fuel cells over SAF?
Fuel cells emit no NOx, soot, or CO₂ and may eliminate contrails, while SAF still involves combustion and related emissions.
How will digital systems enhance hydrogen-electric aircraft performance?
Integrated sensors and computing systems will enable predictive maintenance, route optimization, and real-time diagnostics.
What are the projected cost benefits of hydrogen-electric aircraft?
Beyond Aero anticipates over 20% lower operating costs, with up to 50% savings in propulsion maintenance.
What role will hydrogen infrastructure play in adoption?
Strategically equipping the top 10 business airports per continent could enable over 500,000 hydrogen-electric flights annually.
What is the long-term goal of Beyond Aero’s roadmap?
To scale hydrogen-electric propulsion from light aircraft to 150-seat commercial platforms, covering high-emission short-haul routes by 2050.
For the latest news, insights, and content regarding hydrogen aviation, please join the following HYSKY Society channels: YouTube, X, and LinkedIn.
Join HYSKY Connect: The Hub for Hydrogen Aviation Leaders
HYSKY Connect is a premier membership network for professionals, innovators, and companies driving the hydrogen aviation revolution. It's more than a membership—it's a gateway to exclusive benefits, strategic visibility, and meaningful collaboration within the hydrogen aviation ecosystem.
HYSKY Connect VIP Membership Includes:
Complimentary sponsorship of FLYING HY 2025
Company listing in the HYSKY Connect member database
Discounts on HYSKY summits and educational programs
Direct messaging access to other members
Complimentary legal and technical consultations
Ongoing visibility across HYSKY media, events, and website
👉 To become a HYSKY Connect VIP: https://connect.hysky.org/
Comments