- Stralis Aircraft's breakthrough hydrogen-electric fuel cell technology allows planes to fly 10 times farther than battery-electric alternatives, with 50% lower operating costs compared to fossil fuel-powered aircraft.
- The company has secured $250 million in LOIs for 40 aircraft from 10 airline customers.
- Stralis is powered by a team with over 200 years of combined experience in aerospace and hydrogen technologies and is backed by top investors including Y Combinator and Climate Capital.
In the heart of Brisbane, Australia, where innovation meets ambition, Stralis Aircraft was born in 2021.
The company’s inception is a tale of two visionaries— Bob Criner, an aerospace engineer with a deep-seated passion for sustainability, and Stuart Johnstone, a physicist with a knack for solving complex engineering challenges.
Their paths crossed in 2017 at MagniX, where they were both working on electric aircraft propulsion systems. This collaboration planted the seed for what would become Stralis Aircraft, a company dedicated to revolutionizing air travel with hydrogen-electric technology.
What started as a side project in 2020 quickly gained momentum. By July 2021, Criner and Johnstone had fully committed to bringing their dream to life, officially founding Stralis Aircraft.
Their shared vision was clear: to create a future where aviation is not just a means of transport but a beacon of sustainability.
With a combined experience of over 85 years in the aerospace industry, their goal was to develop aircraft that could drastically reduce carbon emissions while remaining economically viable.
A Bold Vision for the Future
Stralis Aircraft isn’t just another player in the aerospace industry; it’s a company with a clear mission: to decarbonize aviation.
At the heart of this mission is their groundbreaking hydrogen-electric propulsion system. This system, 35% lighter than anything else on the market, is designed to drastically reduce emissions and operating costs.
The visionaries behind Stralis believe that hydrogen-electric technology is the key to sustainable air travel—a belief that is rapidly gaining traction in the industry.
Funding the Flight to Innovation
Bringing such an ambitious vision to life requires substantial funding, and Stralis has been successful in attracting investors who believe in its mission.
Among these are notable names like Y Combinator, Bluebirds Capital, and Climate Capital, who have collectively contributed to Stralis’ funding pool, which now stands at around $500,000.
This financial backing has been instrumental in pushing forward the development of their aircraft, including the 15-seat retrofit of the Beechcraft 1900D and the flagship 50-seat SA-1.
Forging Strategic Partnerships
No great journey is made alone, and Stralis has strategically aligned itself with partners who share their vision for a greener future.
Skytrans, a regional airline in Australia, is set to be the launch customer for the 15-seat retrofit aircraft, marking a significant milestone in Stralis’ journey.
This partnership underscores the market’s confidence in Stralis’ innovative technology and its potential to transform regional air travel.
Brisbane: The Heart of Innovation
At the core of Stralis’ operations is its headquarters in Brisbane, a city quickly becoming synonymous with aerospace innovation.
From here, a team of nine dedicated professionals, with experiences from industry giants like Airbus, Boeing, and Google X, is working tirelessly to turn the dream of hydrogen-electric flight into reality.
Brisbane is not just a location; it’s the birthplace of a revolution that promises to reshape the skies.
The Roadmap to 2050: Innovation in the Air
Stralis is not just building aircraft; they are designing the future of aviation. Their first major project is the retrofit of the Beechcraft 1900D, a 15-seat aircraft set to take to the skies in 2026.
This aircraft, capable of an 800 km range and emitting only water, represents a significant step forward in making air travel both sustainable and economical.
Following closely behind is the SA-1, a 50-seat clean-sheet design expected to enter service by 2030.
Edited By Annette George
