Japan's First Hydrogen-Powered Aircraft Tow Truck Begins Testing Operations

Japan Airlines (JAL) along with JALUX and JAL Air Tech has officially commenced the testing of the nation’s first hydrogen-fueled aircraft tow truck. This initiative was unveiled at an event on August 28, 2025, which featured notable figures including the Governor of Tokyo, Yuriko Koike, and executives from the involved companies.

This groundbreaking project is part of Tokyo's initiative to support early implementation of fuel cell mobility at airports. The collaboration among JAL, JALUX, JAL Air Tech, and Tajima Motor Corporation started last year and aims to develop and commercialize aircraft ground support vehicles (FCGSE) powered by eco-friendly technologies such as fuel cells, which do not emit CO2. The conversion of traditional diesel-powered aircraft tow trucks into hydrogen-fueled vehicles marks a significant step toward reducing carbon emissions in airport operations.

The testing phase is scheduled to run from August to December 2025, during which the teams will evaluate the vehicle's performance and the operational methodologies associated with hydrogen fueling. JALUX will oversee the project, benefiting from Tajima Motor's extensive experience in vehicle development and modification, while JAL will conduct the testing. JAL Air Tech will manage maintenance operations and hydrogen refueling.

In addition to testing, insights and results from this project will be shared with Tokyo and other partners to support future developments in hydrogen vehicle technology and commercialization.