Fokker Next Gen has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with various stakeholders to carry out a feasibility study to establish a hydrogen aircraft plant and Fokker Next Gen headquarters in the Northern Netherlands, including a final assembly line at Groningen Airport Eelde.
The agreement emphasizes collaboration in education, research, and innovation, including the development of a Centre of Excellence for hydrogen-powered aircraft in the region.
CEO Juriaan Kellermann highlighted the strategic advantages of Groningen Airport Eelde, such as its proximity to Groningen Seaports and future hydrogen production facilities, which will support the company’s aim of producing emission-free hydrogen aircraft.
Groningen, Fokker Next Gen signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the parties Groningen Airport Eelde, Groningen Seaports, Province of Drenthe, Province of Groningen, Province of Fryslân, the Investment and Development Company (NV NOM), Alfa-College, Noorderpoort, the University of Groningen, the Hanze and FB Oranjewoud. The agreement is aimed at conducting research on the establishment of a hydrogen aircraft plant and Fokker Next Gen headquarters in the Northern Netherlands.
The parties met at the airport to clinch the agreement. The Memorandum of Understanding lays the foundation for a feasibility study for the establishment of the Fokker Next Gen headquarters in the Northern Netherlands and the final assembly line at Groningen Airport Eelde. At this location, Fokker Next Gen will carry out the assembly and testing of the new generation of hydrogen aircraft. This type of aircraft represents a cleaner way of flying. The agreement also emphasises the strengthening of the education, research, and innovation environment, and the establishment of a Centre of Excellence in the Northern Netherlands for the development of hydrogen-powered aircraft, collaborating with education in the Northern Netherlands. An ‘Iron Bird’ will be built for testing. This is a setup where the aircraft systems will be tested to ensure that they work well together. This creates the conditions for the establishment of Fokker Next Gen and the development of emission-free aviation in the Northern Netherlands.
