Bristol Airport welcomes report into future of hydrogen in aviation industry
The report has been published by the Hydrogen in Aviation Alliance - backed by easyJet, Rolls-Royce and Airbus
Bristol Airport has welcomed a report by the aviation industry - as an alliance has been formed to make sure the UK is a global leader in hydrogen.
The boss of easyJet's joined companies including Airbus and Rolls-Royce, which has a base in Filton, calling for more funding for the sector.
They, alongside the Hydrogen in Aviation Alliance, argue the gas will play a major role in reaching the UK's net zero goals by 2050 - if the right conditions for the technological development, regulation, infrastructure, financial framework and hydrogen supply are in place.
The Hydrogen in Aviation alliance (HIA) is formed of Bristol Airport, easyJet, Rolls-Royce, Airbus, Ørsted, GKN Aerospace, and ZeroAvia, with this week's Milestone Delivery Report outlining the steps and timeline the UK Government and industry needs to follow to secure its position as a global leader in hydrogen-powered aviation.
Johan Lundgren, CEO of easyJet and first Chair of HIA, said: “It’s without doubt that the UK is well placed to be a global leader in hydrogen – but the opportunity will be gone if we do not act now to build on all the great work that has already been done.
“It’s without doubt that the UK is well placed to be a global leader in hydrogen – but the opportunity will be gone if we do not act now to build on all the great work that has already been done.
“The breakthroughs in hydrogen-powered technology happening across the UK are truly astonishing but these advances will be inconsequential if we fail to complement them with the appropriate skills, infrastructure, investment and regulation needed to support hydrogen aviation.
“HIA’s Milestone Delivery Report outlines the critical steps and the timeframe needed to do this and if followed, not only will it create significant wealth, jobs and prosperity across industry and across the UK, it will be a vital component in decarbonising the aviation sector.”
Dave Lees, CEO of Bristol Airport, said: “Having hydrogen refuelling infrastructure at airports, operated by a skilled workforce, is critical to the success of zero emissions flight. Leaders such as Bristol Airport stand ready to work with industry, government, and regulators to begin the first commercial hydrogen flights within this decade. We can play our part to support the UK to seize the economic and social opportunities of zero emission flight.”
The six key recommendations outlined by HIA in its milestone delivery report, include:
- Hydrogen-ready technology research and development: HIA recommends that measures are taken to support the transition from research to development, and ultimately industrialisation, of world leading propulsion and flight technologies in the UK.
- A hydrogen-ready CAA: HIA recommends that the CAA is appropriately resourced and funded with the capacity to lead on certification, standard-setting, and new regulation – working in co-ordination with other relevant bodies and the academic community to support a hydrogen-ready future.
- Hydrogen-ready airports: HIA recommends building a well-developed network of hydrogen-ready airports both in the UK and overseas.
- Transition fund and incentives: HIA recommends the government provide the necessary support and incentives needed to get the sector over the hurdle of transition costs and investment in new infrastructure.
- Plan to deliver aviation’s hydrogen requirements: Given the significant rise in demand for hydrogen that’s expected over the next several decades, HIA recommends scaling up both hydrogen production capacity as well as renewable power, carbon capture and low carbon hydrogen generation to ensure the UK can secure sufficient hydrogen for all sectors that need to decarbonise, including aviation.
- A hydrogen-ready skillforce: HIA recommends government and industry work together to equip the UK’s workforce with the appropriate skills and ensure industry-readiness to support the transition to this new technology.
Here in the UK, the aviation sector brings in more than £22bn directly to GDP, plus £34bn from exporting aerospace components. It also directly employs over 230,000 people.
HIA believes hydrogen will be critical in securing these jobs into the future as zero-emission technology develops, and this will bring immense value to regions all over the UK.