TechnologyAustralia and New Zealand perform first hydrogen refuelings at airport
Hydrogen is often touted as the fuel of the future, particularly for the automotive industry, though progress has been gradual. In aviation, advancements have been even slower — but companies such as Fabrum, AMSL Aero, and Stralis Aircraft are proving undeterred.
The three Oceania-based firms have made aviation history by completing the first liquid hydrogen aircraft refueling operations at a standard international airport.
The milestone took place at Christchurch International Airport in New Zealand, where AMSL Aero and Stralis Aircraft used their test aircraft for the trials.
Stralis Aircraft, headquartered in Brisbane, is developing a range of hydrogen-powered aircraft. Its first test platform — a modified Beechcraft Bonanza A36 fitted with hydrogen tanks and fuel cells — was used for the refueling demonstration.
The company’s roadmap includes a twin-engine turboprop based on the Beechcraft 1900D, accommodating up to 20 passengers, and a larger, 80-seat model of its own design for regional routes of up to 3,000 km.
Sydney-based AMSL Aero is developing Vertiia, a hydrogen-powered eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft) with a projected range of 1,000 km, a 500 kg payload, and a cruising speed of 300 km/h. CEO Dr. Adriano Di Pietro describes it as “the world’s first eVTOL designed from the ground up to run on hydrogen for long-range passenger and cargo operations.”
Fabrum, based in New Zealand, designs and manufactures advanced composite liquid hydrogen tanks for aerospace applications. The company has developed a patented triple-layer insulation system for its tanks, improving thermal performance and refueling efficiency. The technology allows refueling to be completed up to 70% faster than conventional double-coated designs, while reducing hydrogen evaporation losses by around 80%.
Stralis CEO Bob Criner said his company is collaborating with Fabrum to integrate these tanks into its fixed-wing test aircraft to power its hydrogen-electric propulsion system.
Christchurch Airport CEO Justin Watson noted that the airport “continues to play a leading role in advancing zero-emission infrastructure, positioning itself to support the future of liquid hydrogen aviation.”
The successful trials represent a significant step toward mainstream hydrogen adoption in both general and commercial aviation, simplifying the logistics and accelerating the transition to zero-emission flight.
About the Author
