Intelligent Energy, based in Loughborough, has secured £17 million in government-backed funding for its IE-FLIGHT project aimed at developing a cutting-edge hydrogen fuel cell system for aircraft. This initiative, part of the Aerospace Technology Institute Programme, envisions transforming commercial aviation with a zero-emission power solution by the 2030s. The project will introduce the IE-FLIGHT 300 system initially in Electric Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft and smaller commuter planes, with plans to expand to larger regional aircraft in the future. Intelligent Energy aims to overcome the challenge of cooling fuel cells efficiently by utilizing its water-injection cooling technology, which reduces weight and drag. The potential environmental impact is significant, with hydrogen fuel cells offering a cleaner alternative to combustion engines and a more practical solution than battery-electric for long-distance flights. By widely implementing fuel cell systems in various aircraft segments, carbon dioxide emissions could be reduced by millions of tonnes annually, while also creating new job opportunities in the UK. Intelligent Energy's collaboration with key partners and the opening of a new fuel cell test center demonstrate the company's commitment to advancing clean aviation technologies and contributing to the UK's net-zero flight goals.