American Airlines has made an equity investment in Universal Hydrogen, which is building a green hydrogen distribution and logistics network for aviation, the companies announced Monday. Neither entity disclosed the investment amount.
The investment makes American “the first U.S. carrier to make two direct investments focused on the development of both hydrogen-electric propulsion technology and the future of hydrogen distribution logistics,” according to the carrier, referring to its August investment in hydrogen-electric engine developer ZeroAvia.
Universal Hydrogen’s fuel distribution network uses modular hydrogen capsules that are handled like cargo, eliminating the need for new fueling infrastructure at airports and speeding up fuel-loading operations, according to American. The developer anticipates hydrogen deliveries for regional aircraft to begin in 2025, with plans to expand to larger, single-aisle aircraft first for auxiliary power in the late-2020s and then as a primary fuel by the mid-2030s.
