Joint Efforts for Hydrogen: Airbus, Kansai Airports, and Kawasaki Collaborate on Feasibility Study for Hydrogen Infrastructure at Kansai Airports
Key Ideas
  • Airbus, Kansai Airports, and Kawasaki have signed an MoU to explore hydrogen infrastructure feasibility at Kansai's three airports, focusing on hydrogen aircraft operation.
  • The collaboration aims to define a hydrogen infrastructure and supply roadmap based on the unique characteristics of the airports, considering technology, economics, and operations.
  • The partnership forecasts a significant increase in liquid hydrogen demand to support aircraft operations, with the goal of introducing hydrogen-powered aircraft by 2035 to contribute to decarbonization.
  • The initiative aligns with Japan's hydrogen-based energy strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and Kansai Airports' vision to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 through hydrogen utilization.
Airbus, Kansai Airports, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries have joined forces to study the feasibility of hydrogen infrastructure at three airports in the Kansai region, namely Kansai International Airport, Osaka International Airport, and Kobe Airport. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the three parties aims to explore introducing hydrogen aircraft as part of the 'Hydrogen Hub at Airports' programme. This collaboration will involve an initial feasibility study to materialize the supply of hydrogen to aircraft at the mentioned airports, focusing on defining a hydrogen infrastructure and supply roadmap tailored to the specific airport and aircraft requirements. Since 2022, Airbus has been working with Kansai Airports on integrating hydrogen into airport infrastructure, utilizing Kansai's existing hydrogen infrastructures like fuel cell buses and forklifts. The partnership includes Kawasaki, a leading hydrogen solution provider, which has showcased capabilities in designing end-to-end cryogenic hydrogen supply networks. The partnership has progressed from understanding hydrogen infrastructures to a second phase of integrated feasibility study, including liquid hydrogen demand forecasts. The collaboration reflects a global trend towards decarbonization, with Airbus emphasizing the potential of hydrogen in reducing aircraft emissions. Kansai Airports' commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 aligns with the partnership's goal of contributing to decarbonization in the aviation industry. Kawasaki recognizes the value of hydrogen as a clean energy carrier and views the partnership as a step towards decarbonization in the aviation industry. By leveraging this memorandum of agreement, Airbus, Kansai Airports, and Kawasaki aim to accelerate the decarbonization of airport infrastructure in Japan, with the ultimate goal of enabling hydrogen-powered aircraft operation in the future. The initiative not only targets emissions reduction during flights but also aims to decarbonize ground activities in air transport, showcasing a holistic approach towards sustainability and innovation in the aviation sector.
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