Britten-Norman and Cranfield Aerospace Join Forces to Bring Hydrogen Airliners to Market

The merger between the UK companies is expected to be complete by around mid-2023, at which point new investors will provide a further £10 million in capital.

Cranfield Aerospace Services plans to convert nine-seat Britten-Norman Islander aircraft to hydrogen propulsion — Cranfield Aerospace Solutions and Britten-Norman plan to convert nine-seat Islander aircraft to hydrogen propulsion by 2026. (Image: Britten-Norman)

By Gregory Polek • Senior Editor

April 21, 2023

The UK’s Britten-Norman and Cranfield Aerospace Solutions (CAeS) have signed a heads-of-terms agreement to merge and start delivering hydrogen-powered regional airliners in 2026. The company aims to achieve certification for both converted and new-build examples of the nine-seat Britten-Norman Islander aircraft.

Due for completion in mid-2023 after completion of final due diligence, the merger calls for HydrogenOne Capital Growth Plc (“HydrogenOne”), a consortium of CAeS investors consisting of HydrogenOne, Safran Corporate Ventures, and UAE-based investment firm Strategic Development Fund (SDF), to invest up to £10 million in the new company, including up to £5 million investment from HydrogenOne upon completion of the merger, which is anticipated in mid-2023. The new backing will build on an earlier £14.4 million funding round that was supported by the UAE's Tawazun Economic Council and California-based Motus Ventures.

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