Airbus, Kansai Airports, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries Collaborate on Hydrogen Infrastructure at Kansai Airports
Key Ideas
- Airbus, Kansai Airports, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries have signed an MoU to study the feasibility of hydrogen infrastructure at three airports in the Kansai region.
- The initiative aims to define a hydrogen infrastructure and supply roadmap, evaluate results from different perspectives, and potentially launch demonstration projects for policy recommendations.
- Airbus has forecasted a growing demand for liquid hydrogen at the airports, highlighting a mature hydrogen industry footprint in Kansai with promising prospects for hydrogen aviation.
- The collaboration is part of Airbus' 'Hydrogen Hub at Airports' programme, focused on low-carbon airport operations and has partnerships in 14 countries globally.
Airbus, Kansai Airports, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries have joined forces to explore the potential of hydrogen infrastructure at Kansai International Airport, Osaka International Airport, and Kobe Airport in Japan. Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the parties will conduct a feasibility study on introducing and operating hydrogen aircraft under the 'Hydrogen Hub at Airports' programme. The collaboration aims to define a hydrogen infrastructure and supply roadmap, considering specific aircraft and airport characteristics. Results will be evaluated from various angles, leading to potential demonstration projects and policy recommendations. Airbus has already forecasted a gradual increase in liquid hydrogen demand at the airports, with positive expectations due to a mature hydrogen industry in the Kansai region. This initiative aligns with Airbus' broader program to promote low-carbon airport operations globally, with partnerships in 14 countries. The partnership signifies a significant step towards sustainable aviation and the utilization of hydrogen in the aviation industry.