On June 4, 2024, Toki Aviation Capital (TOKIAC), the company behind Japan’s latest start-up airline Toki Air, announced it signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Fokker Next Gen, a Dutch company focused on developing a liquid hydrogen-propelled regional airliner.
According to TOKIAC’s press release, the two companies will use their knowledge and networks to accelerate efforts related to reducing CO2 emissions throughout aircraft operations. Among other things, the MoU sees the two companies cooperating in the selection of fuel production, transportation, and storage partners.
Elaborating on the partnership, TOKIAC and Toki Air’s President Masaki Hasegawa said “To begin with, we will aim to strengthen our relationship with the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau and major heavy industries in Japan.” Fokker Next Gen’s CEO Juriaan Kellermann said “We [Fokker Next Generation and TOKIAC] are committed to combining our expertise to develop and commercialize a zero-emission aircraft, paving the way for a greener future for air travel in Japan and overseas.”
Fokker Next Gen was established in 1996 as Rekkof Restart with the aim of producing upgraded Fokker 70 and 100 aircraft, a plan that has not materialized. In 2023, the company rebranded to Fokker Next Gen and announced plans for a clean-sheet hydrogen-powered airliner.
In 2023, Toki Air also signed a partnership with Heart Aerospace to serve as a development advisor to the start-up aiming to develop an electric airliner.
