UK Hydrogen in Aviation alliance formed by major aviation, renewable energy players

LONDON (ICIS)–A group of leading companies in both the UK aviation and renewable energy sectors announced 5 September that the Hydrogen in Aviation (HIA) alliance had been formed and will work towards the delivery of zero carbon aviation.

Some of the companies included in HIA are easyJet, Rolls-Royce, Airbus, Orsted, GKN Aerospace. and Bristol Airport.

In a joint press release, HIA said that “there are various options for decarbonising the aviation sector” which include the likes of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), synthetic fuels, and batteries.

However, HIA said in the release that “more attention should be paid to the potential of the direct use of hydrogen” and that “hydrogen is a very promising alternative fuel option for short-haul aviation.”

Hydrogen and battery technology have been muted as alternatives to current jet fuels for short-haul and medium-haul flights, but less so for long-haul flights where SAFs have been seen as the main alternatives.

Airbus is currently developing new hydrogen-powered aircraft due to come into commercial service by 2035, and earlier this year, Rolls Royce ran tests on jet engines with hydrogen as a fuel.

The HIA said in the release that it recommended that the UK government needs to be focused on three key areas:

• supporting the delivery of infrastructure needed
• ensuring aviation regulation is hydrogen ready
• moving R&D support for hydrogen aviation to a 10-year program