Airbus, Avinor and partners will investigate the feasibility of a hydrogen infrastructure at airports in Sweden and Norway
This cooperation will provide better understanding of hydrogen aircraft concepts and operations, supply, infrastructures and refuelling needs at airports to help develop this hydrogen aviation ecosystem in both countries. The work will also identify the pathways to select which airports will be transformed first to operate hydrogen-powered aircraft in both countries as well as the accompanying regulatory framework.
This is the first time that a feasibility study of this kind will cover two countries and more than 50 airports.
“Hydrogen stands out as a key enabler as we pioneer a sustainable aviation future,” said Guillaume Faury, CEO of Airbus. “Norway and Sweden are among the most demanding regions for aviation and have great potential for hydrogen production from renewable energy sources. I am very pleased to enter into this cooperation with partners fully engaged to take significant steps towards decarbonising aerospace. It fits perfectly with our strategy of deploying hydrogen aviation ecosystems in the most suitable parts of the world.”
Avinor CEO Abraham Foss added: “Hydrogen is emerging as a key energy carrier in future fossil free aviation. As the owner and operator of 43 airports across Norway, Avinor has been working on sustainability for many years already, and has taken a position as a driving force and facilitator for the green transition of Norwegian aviation.
“Our dialogue with Airbus concerning the decarbonisation of aviation goes several years back and we are very happy to be able to announce this collaboration together with our good neighbours in Sweden. Norway, as well as Sweden, is well positioned to be an early mover in the introduction of hydrogen-powered aircraft. We look forward to contributing with our expertise as well as infrastructure to bring this important work forward.”
The use of hydrogen to power future aircraft is not only expected to significantly reduce aircraft emissions in the air, but could also help decarbonise air transport activities on the ground. In 2020, Airbus unveiled the first ZEROe concept with the ambition to bring to market the world's first hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft by 2035.
The French firm previously launched the Hydrogen Hub at Airports programme to jumpstart research into infrastructure requirements and low-carbon airport operations, across the entire value chain. To date agreements have been signed with partners and airports in ten countries – France, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden and the UK.
