FutureFlight
Universal Hydrogen Gets Closer to Airbus with New Toulouse Engineering Center
The U.S. company's leadership team has strong ties to Airbus, which is priortizing efforts to develop hydrogen-powered airliners through its Zero E program.
Universal Hydrogen Dash 8
Universal Hydrogen is working to convert existing regional turboprop airliners to hydrogen using its proprietary technology, including fuel storage capsules that get installed directly onto aircraft. (Image: Universal Hydrogen)

In a move that could foreshadow cooperation with Airbus, California start-up Universal Hydrogen is locating a second engineering and design center near the European aerospace group’s Toulouse, France headquarters. The facility will initially focus on the development of a liquid hydrogen capsule for the company’s hydrogen modular storage and logistics system.

The company has appointed Airbus veteran Pierre Farjounel as general manager of its new European operations, which are now based in the historic Hangar B16 at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport. Farjounel previously served as the head of digital continuity and information systems for Airbus’s next-generation aircraft.