2032 Brisbane Olympics hydrogen-powered EVTOL flights possible

Australia’s long-range electric vertical take-off and landing (EVTOL) aircraft plans liquid hydrogen refuelling at Queensland’s major centre for general aviation activities.

Zero-emission aircraft designer and manufacturer AMSL Aero, the has agreed to explore liquid hydrogen refuelling infrastructure options at Archerfield Airport, paving the way for zero-emission passenger and  medical flights across Queensland and at the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The deal comes after AMSL Aero’s Vertiia completed the first free flight by an Australian hybrid eVTOL aircraft which take off and land like a helicopter but fly fast and smoothly like a fixed-wing aeroplane, AMSL Aero says.

Under a memorandum of understanding (MOU), AMSL Aero and Archerfield are collaborating on the development of refuelling infrastructure and maintenance, repair, and overhaul capabilities.

Vertiia can travel up to 1000km on hydrogen at a cruising speed of 300km/h and can carry up to four passengers and a pilot, landing in a space half the size of a tennis court.

Speaking at the Avalon Air Show in Melbourne, AMSL Aero chairman Chris Smallhorn praised Archerfield Airport’s ongoing commitment to aviation innovation.

“This MOU lays the foundations for zero-emission aviation throughout Queensland and at the Olympics and Paralympics in 2032,” he says.

“It will lead to the creation of cutting-edge liquid hydrogen refuelling infrastructure that will enable operators flying Vertiias to refuel within 11km of central Brisbane.

“We envisage fleets of Vertiias flying passengers non-stop from Sydney to the Olympic stadium in Brisbane in less than 3.5 hours door-to-door and ferrying passengers and athletes to and from events, beating the traffic.”

Archerfield Airport operations executive general manager Rod Parry says the airport took a very proactive stance in supporting and facilitating the development of advanced air mobility.

“Whatever way you look at it, Archerfield is in a prime position to capitalise on and service Vertiia technology,” he says.

“Geographically, we’re very close to Brisbane’s CBD, major regional centres and three 2032 Olympic and Paralympic zones.

“Archerfield is the perfect partner to develop maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities for advanced air mobility to support passenger transport, cargo, aeromedical and even firefighting applications.”

AMSL Aero’s Vertiia customers are planning commercial flights following certification and regulatory approval planned in 2028/2029.

AMSL Aero says it has received deposits for 26 Vertiia aircraft orders including 20 from Aviation Logistics, which operates the Air Link, AirMed and Chartair brands covering passenger services, aircraft charter, air freight and aeromedical flights across Australia.

Aviation Logistics is an Archerfield Airport tenant.