Hamburg Airport has become the first airport in Germany to join Airbus’ international network for future hydrogen hubs. The announcement follows the recent collaboration between the airport and the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) to present a roadmap outlining the future steps necessary to fuel aircraft that are free from CO2 emissions.
The goal of the “Hydrogen Hub at Airports” network is for the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), Airbus, alongside airports, airlines and other stakeholders to work together, researching and establishing a reliable infrastructure for the use of hydrogen in aviation. Other airports invited to join the cooperative include hubs in France, Singapore, Japan and New Zealand.
Michael Eggenschwiler, CEO of Hamburg Airport commented: “We are thrilled that Hamburg Airport is working together on equal terms with such international hubs as Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Changi Airport in Singapore, as we make these decisive preparations for an energy transition in air travel.”
Joining the network is a strategically important move for Hamburg as airlines wanting to offer connections using the Airbus ZEROe when it is launched will require an existing network of airports prepared to cater for its fuelling requirements. All hubs on Airbus’ Hydrogen Hub at Airports network will provide an equally reliable infrastructure.
Commenting on the continuous growth of the OEM’s Hydrogen Hub Network, Nicole Dreyer-Langlet, responsible for research and technology within the executive board of Airbus Germany, said: “Hamburg Airport already has a lot of experience with hydrogen infrastructure and is a pioneer in this area. Handling aircraft with hydrogen power will become as commonplace as refuelling them with kerosene is today. We are doing our bit to make this happen, but we depend on seamless cooperation with the airport specialists.”
Airbus launched its hydrogen hub network programme in 2020 to complement the first ZEROe concept aircraft. The development of the relevant technological building blocks is now being driven forward in a global research and technology network focused on the development of hydrogen technology for future airliners.
