Airbus is establishing a new partnership to create a European airport network capable of supporting hydrogen aircraft. (Airbus)
Airbus, Air Liquide, and VINCI Airports have formed a new partnership that could create an airport network for hydrogen aircraft, the company announced in a Sept. 21 press release.
The first step in this project will begin at Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport, VINCI Airports’ center of excellence for innovation, which has been chosen as the pilot location. The partners will first focus on deploying a hydrogen gas distribution station at this location.
The hydrogen gas will be used for ground vehicles and heavy goods vehicles at the airport. By creating a hydrogen gas distribution station, the project will be able to test the airport facilities as a hydrogen hub. Airbus predicts this part of the project could be complete by 2023.
After establishing a hydrogen gas hub, the project will move on to liquid hydrogen infrastructure. This phase of the project will be completed between 2023 and 2030 and will set up infrastructure for hydrogen aircraft tanks.
Once liquid hydrogen infrastructure is in place, the project will work on expanding its use across the airport.
By 2030, the partners expect to have an idea of the possibility of equipping VINCI Airports European airport network with hydrogen production. VINCI Airports operates 45 airports across 12 countries.
In September of last year, Airbus unveiled hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft concepts codenamed ZEROe.