London Gatwick Hydrogen Hub: Pioneering the Future of Zero-Carbon Flights
Key Ideas
  • VINCI Airports, London Gatwick, Airbus, easyJet, and Air Products have joined forces to establish the London Gatwick Hydrogen Hub to explore hydrogen infrastructure in airports.
  • Airbus aims to commercialize zero-emission hydrogen-powered aircraft by 2035, focusing initially on short to medium haul routes, making London Gatwick an ideal testing ground.
  • The Hydrogen Hubs at Airports program includes research on liquid hydrogen supply, storage, refuelling, ground handling, and short-term hydrogen applications at airports like London Gatwick.
  • VINCI Airports is actively engaged in decarbonisation efforts through projects like GOLIAT, aiming to demonstrate small-scale liquid hydrogen aircraft ground operations at European airports by 2027.
VINCI Airports, in collaboration with London Gatwick, Airbus, easyJet, and Air Products, has initiated the London Gatwick Hydrogen Hub to advance the utilization of hydrogen in airport operations. The partnership aims to introduce hydrogen infrastructure at London Gatwick Airport to pave the way for potential zero-carbon flights. Airbus has rolled out the 'Hydrogen Hub at Airports' program to investigate infrastructure requirements for low-carbon airport operations, crucial for the adoption of hydrogen-powered aircraft scheduled for commercial service from 2035. London Gatwick's strategic position as a hub for short to medium haul routes, combined with easyJet's operational expertise, positions the London Gatwick Hydrogen Hub as a key R&D testbed for hydrogen aircraft infrastructure. The collaboration focuses on liquid hydrogen supply, storage, refuelling, and ground handling at the airport, with an emphasis on exploring immediate hydrogen applications. Moreover, London Gatwick, Lyon-Saint Exupery, and Kansai Airports, partnering with Airbus under VINCI Airports' decarbonisation strategy, have established Hydrogen Hubs to propel the development of carbon-free hydrogen infrastructure. Additionally, VINCI Airports is part of the GOLIAT project, collaborating with Airbus and industry partners to demonstrate liquid hydrogen aircraft operations at European airports by 2027. Stewart Wingate, CEO of London Gatwick, expressed confidence in hydrogen's potential to decarbonize airport emissions, especially for short-haul aircraft, aligning with Gatwick's goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2030. Glenn Llewellyn, Vice President of Airbus ZEROe Project, emphasized the importance of establishing robust hydrogen infrastructure to support the aviation industry's shift towards hydrogen-powered flights by 2035, highlighting the need for a global hydrogen ecosystem. The consortium's collective efforts signify a significant move towards sustainable aviation and a greener future for air travel.
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