Report highlights potential of hydrogen in aviation

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The study, Enabling Hydrogen in the European Aviation Market, found that hydrogen in aviation offers a unique opportunity to achieve both emissions reduction and market expansion. The analysis shows that introducing hydrogen alongside Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) can accelerate progress towards net zero, particularly when policy incentives reward low-carbon fuels and if hydrogen were to be included within the EU’s SAF mandate1.

The research also found that targeted hydrogen infrastructure at around 20 major European airports, including Heathrow, could deliver more than 80% of the emissions benefits of full hydrogen availability across the continent. Concentrating investment at key ‘hydrogen hubs’ would therefore provide a practical and cost-effective path to early adoption.

Further modelling indicates that the earlier novel technologies, such as hydrogen, can be introduced, the more opportunity they present for CO2 emission reductions, underscoring the value of early technological transition where it is financially and technically viable.

The study is underpinned by UCL ATSLab’s Airline Behaviour Model (ABM), which represents the complexity of airline decision-making through specific behavioural variables. Building on this, the research evaluates how fuel costs, incentives and new technologies shape airline responses. This provides a research-based, realistic picture of how hydrogen adoption could evolve, highlighting both opportunities and potential challenges for adoption.

Professor Hervé Morvan, Chief of Future Platforms, Group R&T, Rolls-Royce, said: "While our immediate opportunities lie with increased engine efficiency and SAF adoption, by continuing the industry’s development of hydrogen propulsion and strategic infrastructure investment, we stand to achieve net-zero faster while protecting the vital economic benefits that aviation brings. This research demonstrates hydrogen’s potential to deliver substantial emissions reductions and growth advantages as part of a diverse long term technology strategy.”

Lahiru Ranasinghe, Director of Sustainability, easyJet, said: "This study outlines the importance of hydrogen as one of the solutions that can help accelerate decarbonisation and support economic growth at the same time. There are many technological and infrastructure challenges to overcome, however we continue to see progress and we remain committed to playing an active role on this journey.”

Matt Gorman, Director of Carbon Strategy, Heathrow, said: "It’s exciting to see the study confirm how hydrogen infrastructure at a small number of major airports could deliver most of the carbon benefits of hydrogen aircraft adoption. At Heathrow, we’re preparing to support multiple measures to address aviation emissions, ensuring safe and effective adoption as soon as these technologies arrive.”

Dr Khan Doyme, Senior Research Fellow, Air Transportation Systems Lab, said: "Our modelling shows that hydrogen and SAF together can deliver both sector growth and decarbonisation. Coordinated action between manufacturers, airlines and airports will be essential to realise hydrogen’s full potential.”

This research was sponsored by the Aerospace Technology Institute, the Department for Business and Trade and Innovate UK.