ZeroAvia to Launch New Hydrogen Aircraft Facility in Scotland

Image Credit: ZeroAvia

A surge of green aviation innovation is heading to Scotland, promising a leap in clean tech and creating around 350 skilled jobs. The catalyst? ZeroAvia, a U.S.-based pioneer in hydrogen-electric aviation, has unveiled plans to establish a cutting-edge “center of excellence” near Glasgow Airport—a move poised to redefine how aircraft engines are designed and built in the UK.

The facility, set to open by 2028, will specialize in producing advanced fuel cell systems that power ZeroAvia’s hydrogen-electric engines. The company believes this technology could dramatically slash aviation’s climate impact. Instead of emitting carbon dioxide, these engines would emit only clean, efficient, and potentially revolutionary water vapor.

ZeroAvia isn’t thinking small. It aims to have its first engines—capable of powering 20-seat aircraft—in active service as early as next year. And that’s just the beginning. The team is already engineering solutions for larger aircraft, targeting designs that support between 40 and 80 seats. This would open up a broader slice of the regional aviation market to zero-emission travel.

The new Scottish hub will be located within the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS), based in Renfrewshire—a fast-growing region magnet for high-tech manufacturing and climate-forward industry.

Founder and chief executive Val Miftakhov said: “Scotland has some unique advantages for ZeroAvia with strong aerospace and engineering skills, a burgeoning hydrogen sector, and a clear aviation strategy with potential for early adoption of zero-emission flights.

“The aviation industry is on the cusp of the biggest transformation since the advent of the jet age, with entirely new propulsion systems set to power the next era of aviation - cleaner flights, better economics, and better experiences for all. With this new facility, Scotland has a big role to play in driving this transformation.”

Scottish Enterprise has awarded a regional selective assistance grant of £9 million to the project, building on an earlier £20m investment in the company from the taxpayer-backed Scottish National Investment Bank.

Scottish Enterprise chief executive Adrian Gillespie said: “It is fantastic that we’ve been able to attract ZeroAvia to Scotland, not only for the jobs they will be creating but for the hugely important role they can play in ensuring Scotland maintains its reputation for fostering innovative green technologies.

“Making aviation sustainable is crucial to a successful green economy, and Scottish Enterprise is fully committed to backing ambitious companies with innovative ideas.”

The site will work in synergy with ZeroAvia’s existing propulsion center of excellence in Washington State, which is focused on electric motors and power electronics. This bi-continental setup reflects the company’s strategy: split specialization and unified vision.

The UK’s role in this transformation is more than symbolic. The government has backed ZeroAvia with substantial support, including £32 million from the National Wealth Fund and £18.5 million in R&D grants awarded since 2019. Meanwhile, the company continues growing its UK presence, with expansion plans underway at Cotswold Airport in Gloucestershire.

First Minister John Swinney said: “ZeroAvia’s decision to establish a base in Scotland - creating 350 highly-skilled jobs in the process - is the perfect illustration of Scotland’s growing reputation in the global transition to net zero.

“Attracting inward investment is critical to economic growth, and we will continue to work with Scottish Development International and other partners to bring more high-quality jobs to Scotland.”

Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said: “Tens of millions of pounds of crucial investment from the UK government is helping to develop the fuel cell technology that will be manufactured here in Scotland at this new facility. It will create and sustain hundreds of skilled Scottish jobs, help achieve our net-zero goals, and boost the economy.”