Tallinn Airport has joined the Baltic Sea region (BSR) HyAirport project to explore the potential of hydrogen as a fuel source. The three-year project involves airports, airlines, research establishments and technology companies in Scandinavia, the Baltic States, Poland and Germany.
According to Riivo Tuvike, the chair of Tallin’s board: “Technology is developing so quickly these days that we need to start preparing if we want to be ready for the adoption of alternative fuels.”
These, he said, will include both electricity and hydrogen, the latter of which requires further exploration. “That’s why we joined the project,” he remarked. “It won’t result in ready-made infrastructure, but in knowledge and contacts that will help airports prepare for alternative fuels being taken into use.”
As well as testing, developing and evaluating practical solutions with hydrogen, the project will also examine best practice in the storage, handling and supply of hydrogen. It will also explore the legislation required to support the process of adopting hydrogen.
With the deadline for Tallinn’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2025 and climate neutrality by 2030 rapidly approaching, the airport is working hard and exploring all avenues to reduce its impact on the environment. “We’ll gain the greatest benefits once we’ve given up on fossil fuels completely and made the switch to green fuels. We’ve been making exclusive use of paraffin fuel produced from renewable sources throughout the airport since summer 2023, which is helping us substantially reduce the impact of our operations. And in order to be a pioneer and set an example to others we’re going one step further to promote a smaller footprint among airlines as well.”
