ZeroAvia Sets Up Shop at Stockton Airport

ZeroAvia Brings Hydrogen Innovation to Stockton Metropolitan Airport

Groundbreaking Partnership for Green Aviation
Stockton Metropolitan Airport (SCK) has announced a new chapter in sustainable aviation through its collaboration with ZeroAvia. The company, a leader in zero-emission aviation technology, will establish a state-of-the-art research and development (R&D) facility at SCK. With a lease approved on February 11, 2025, this marks a pivotal moment for both the airport and the broader Stockton community. ZeroAvia plans to focus on developing liquid hydrogen refueling systems, which are essential for their hydrogen-electric propulsion technologies.

Richard Sokol, Airport Director, expressed optimism about the partnership’s potential impact, saying, “ZeroAvia’s arrival at SCK positions our airport and region at the forefront of green aviation advancements.” This sentiment underscores the growing importance of reducing emissions in air travel and investing in clean energy solutions.

Advancing Liquid Hydrogen Refueling Systems

The R&D facility at Stockton will play a crucial role in progressing ZeroAvia’s California Energy Commission-supported project to design, build, and test new liquid hydrogen refueling vehicles. These vehicles are key to the viability of hydrogen-powered aircraft, particularly in enabling rapid refueling, reducing costs, and improving energy performance.

ZeroAvia CEO Val Miftakhov emphasized the significance of these developments, stating, “Liquid hydrogen systems are a critical building block for the scalability of hydrogen-electric engines. Our work in Stockton will be instrumental in shaping the future of flight.” This reflects the company’s commitment to solving the challenges that come with integrating hydrogen fuel into commercial aviation at scale.

Recent Advances in Sustainable Propulsion

ZeroAvia has been making headlines with significant breakthroughs in sustainable propulsion. Earlier this month, the company finalized the first sale of its 600kW electric propulsion system (EPS) to Jetcruzer International, marking another step forward in electric aviation. The 600kW EPS incorporates high-efficiency proprietary inverter and motor technology, paving the way for innovation in hydrogen-electric propulsion. Jetcruzer plans to deploy this system in an electric flight test program for its six-seat Jetcruzer 500E, with aircraft deliveries targeted between 2028 and 2030.

ZeroAvia has also extensively tested the ZA600 hydrogen-electric engine aboard a Dornier 228 aircraft, highlighting the potential of hydrogen-electric systems to power commercial planes within the near future. These engines rely on advanced technologies like high-temperature proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells and innovative electric motor designs.

Collaborating to Build a Liquid Hydrogen Ecosystem

Highlighting its commitment to infrastructure development, ZeroAvia has partnered with Absolut Hydrogen, a company specializing in liquid hydrogen (LH2) production and storage. Together, they aim to establish airport-ready solutions for producing, storing, and refueling aircraft with liquid hydrogen. This partnership is expected to support the development of larger hydrogen-electric powertrains, capable of powering regional turboprops with up to 80 seats by 2027.

This collaboration brings us closer to realizing the vision of cleaner, longer-haul flights fueled by liquid hydrogen. It also addresses critical challenges, such as creating efficient storage technologies and refining safety protocols for widespread use of LH2 in aviation.

Why Does This Matter?

The global aviation industry accounts for approximately 2% of all carbon emissions. Shifting to hydrogen fuel, which produces water as its primary emission, could dramatically reduce the sector’s carbon footprint. ZeroAvia’s efforts are crucial in making this transition feasible. Their work on refueling technology, in combination with partnerships and advanced powertrain systems, is setting the stage for significant industry-wide changes.

The timelines for these developments are aggressive, reflecting the urgency of decarbonizing air travel. ZeroAvia aims to commercialize hydrogen-electric powertrains for 9 to 19-seat aircraft by 2025 and expand to 40 to 80-seaters by 2027. Infrastructure enhancements, such as liquid hydrogen refueling systems, will go hand-in-hand with these advancements to support the growing fleet of hydrogen-powered aircraft.

How Hydrogen Technology Could Work Today

While the full adoption of hydrogen-fueled aircraft is still a few years away, parts of the underlying technology can find immediate applications. For instance, the liquid hydrogen storage and refueling methods being developed in Stockton can also be adapted for use in other energy-intensive industries, such as trucking and shipping. Furthermore, airports can begin integrating hydrogen infrastructure today, creating a foundation for future aviation needs.

For regional flights and smaller airliners, hydrogen-electric engines are poised to offer a sustainable alternative to conventional jet engines in the near term. This is particularly useful for routes where electrification through batteries alone may not provide sufficient range or energy density.

Practical Implications for the Aviation Industry

ZeroAvia’s work demonstrates that sustainable aviation isn’t just a far-off dream—it’s happening now. Stockton Metropolitan Airport, through partnerships like this, shows how regional hubs can lead in adopting green technology. These efforts will not only reduce emissions but also create opportunities for economic growth by positioning airports as central players in the clean energy transition.

Looking forward, hydrogen-electric propulsion has the potential to redefine aviation’s relationship with the environment. While larger-scale adoption will take time, immediate steps like infrastructure development and test programs ensure that the aviation industry progresses steadily towards a cleaner, more sustainable future.