The Hydrogen in Aviation alliance, formed in September 2023 with by Airbus, Bristol Airport, easyJet, GKN Aerospace, Orsted, Rolls Royce, ZeroAvia is calling for a comprehensive industrial strategy for aviation to ensure the UK is a global leader in the development of hydrogen aviation
The alliance has issued an initial report setting out its vision to ensure the UK has the right conditions for the technological development, regulation, infrastructure, financial framework and hydrogen supply that will be needed for hydrogen aviation.
HIA’s ultimate goal is to ensure hydrogen-powered flights become a reality to help preserve the huge social and economic benefits that aviation brings.
The Alliance, formed of major players across the aviation, manufacturing and renewable energy sectors, see hydrogen as one of the key tools for the decarbonisation of aviation, and key to creating new jobs and supporting the sector’s long term sustainable future.
The report includes six major recomedations.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Hydrogen-ready airports HIA recommends building a well-developed network of hydrogen-ready airports both in the UK and overseas.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
You can download the report at
hydrogeninaviation.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Launching-Hydrogen-Powered-Aviation-Report.pdf