Beyond Aero Partners with Aéroports de la Côte d'Azur to Develop Hydrogen Infrastructure at Three French Riviera Airports
Why It MattersThe partnership signals early groundwork for hydrogen-electric business aviation infrastructure, a prerequisite step that could shape how airports across Europe plan for future zero-emission aircraft operations.
Beyond Aero and Aéroports de la Côte d'Azur are jointly preparing the operational conditions needed to accommodate hydrogen-electric business aircraft at Nice Côte d'Azur, Cannes Mandelieu and Golfe de Saint-Tropez airports, targeting readiness aligned with an expected start of operations in the early 2030s. Aéroports de la Côte d'Azur, described as Europe's second-largest airport group for business aviation, is working with Beyond Aero on a phased strategy for deploying hydrogen infrastructure, assessing supply, storage, distribution and refuelling requirements, including capacity, suitable locations, an operating concept and investment levels for different deployment scenarios.
Beyond Aero is developing a six- to eight-seat hydrogen fuel-cell electric business aircraft called One, targeted for service entry in the early 2030s. The preferred scenario under assessment is based on compressed gaseous hydrogen, which Beyond Aero says is consistent with its aircraft architecture and relies on technologies already available for industrial deployment. Under this approach, hydrogen would be produced outside the airport perimeter, transported by tube trailer to an on-airport dispensing station, and delivered to aircraft via either a fixed dispenser near a dedicated parking area or a mobile refuelling vehicle, configurations Beyond Aero said would limit initial capital expenditure and allow capacity to scale progressively.
While the study covers all three airports, Beyond Aero said Cannes Mandelieu currently appears to offer the most suitable conditions for initial deployment, partly because of its role as a key gateway to Monaco and the traffic profile it handles. Eloa Guillotin, co-founder and CEO of Beyond Aero, said infrastructure readiness must advance at the same pace as aircraft development and that the phased approach is essential to enable safe, viable operations when the first aircraft enter service. Franck Goldnadel, chairman of the Management Board of Aéroports de la Côte d'Azur, said the partnership turns the group's environmental ambition into practical, phased operational solutions.
The study will also evaluate the potential benefits of hydrogen-electric aircraft in reducing noise and local emissions. No final investment or siting decision has been made, and next phases of the work will compare configurations and recommend the solution best suited to each airport.
