Austrian Airlines Pilot Program: Exploring Hydrogen for Sustainable Aircraft Ground Maintenance
Key Ideas
  • Austrian Airlines is conducting a pilot program at Vienna International Airport to evaluate the use of hydrogen with an H2Genset generator for ground maintenance activities on Airbus A320 aircraft.
  • The aim of the trial is to develop expertise and infrastructure for potential future use of hydrogen, with the goal of reducing the airline's CO2 footprint and exploring sustainable energy solutions.
  • Hydrogen is also being considered by other aviation stakeholders, such as Airbus and ZeroAvia, for hydrogen-electric aircraft, requiring the development of infrastructure at airports.
  • Ground handlers are exploring additional use cases for hydrogen, including the potential for hydrogen-powered deicing trucks, although the technology is still in its early stages.
Austrian Airlines is embarking on a pilot program to assess the viability of using hydrogen as an emissions-free energy source for regular ground maintenance activities on Airbus A320 aircraft at Vienna International Airport. The airline is utilizing an H2Genset hydrogen generator from TEST-FUCHS GmbH for tasks like cabin cleaning and maintenance checks, marking the first application of this technology for aircraft ground maintenance. By leveraging a highly efficient frequency converter from Dynell, the project aims to build expertise and infrastructure for potential future hydrogen use, with the ultimate goal of reducing CO2 emissions. The safety considerations of using a mobile hydrogen unit near aircraft were addressed by ensuring a safe distance of 30 meters during operations. While Austrian currently has no plans for hydrogen-electric taxiing, the airline remains open to exploring energy supply transformations. As part of the Lufthansa Group, Austrian aims to cut net CO2 emissions by 50% by 2030 through various reduction and compensation initiatives. In the broader aviation industry, hydrogen is gaining traction as a key player in sustainable energy solutions, particularly for hydrogen-electric aircraft. This shift necessitates the development of infrastructure to accommodate hydrogen storage at airports. Ground handlers, like Swissport International, are contemplating potential applications for hydrogen, such as powering deicing trucks, although the technology is still in its nascent stages. The industry is collectively moving towards a more sustainable future, with hydrogen at the forefront of innovative energy solutions.
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