Hydrogen aviation: maxi study on 50 airports in Sweden and Norway

First project dedicated to the study of the regulatory framework

(sustainabilityenvironment.com) – In Norway and Sweden the foundations of the future of hydrogen aviation are laid. Or, more precisely, we study what elements will make possible the conversion of the air sector to carrier H2 with a large-scale project. The initiative is signed by a large group of companies, gathered in an ambitious Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Last week Airbus, Avinor, SAS, Swedavia and Vattenfall announced the understanding to the base of a maxi feasibility study that will involve, in 2024, very 50 ports of call in the two Countries.

The objective? To study the possibility of creating a real airport ecosystem linked to hydrogen. Thus improving knowledge and understanding of the concepts and operations underlying hydrogen aviation, from aircraft to procurement, via refueling infrastructure. The work will also identify routes to select which airports, among the 50 selected, will be transformed to operate with carrier H2, as well as the accompanying regulatory framework.

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Hydrogen aviation, the Airbus pellet

“Hydrogen stands out as a key factor in our commitment to paving the way for a future of sustainable aviation,” said Guillaume Faury, CEO of Airbus. “Norway and Sweden are among the most demanding regions for aviation and have great potential for producing hydrogen from renewable energy sources. I am very pleased to be initiating this cooperation with partners fully committed to taking significant steps towards decarbonizing the aerospace sector. It fits perfectly into our strategy of deploying hydrogen-powered aviation ecosystems in the most suitable parts of the world”.

For Airbus, it is a matter of continuing on a path that began before 2020. Today the company is committed to bringing to market, by 2035, its first commercial aircraft in the world powered by hydrogen. And through the program “Hydrogen Hub at Airports” is studying infrastructure requirements and airport operations.

“We want to enable the decarbonisation of the sector,” added Anna Borg, President and CEO of Vattenfall. “Aviation is a ‘hard to abate’ sector, where today breaking away from fossil fuels is a huge challenge. However, this cross-border collaboration demonstrates the will to bring about change“.