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BRUSSELS—The aviation industry, especially the sector linked to infrastructures, should continue to prepare for the introduction of hydrogen-powered aircraft in the future, Airports Council International (ACI) Europe President Armando Brunini said March 18.
His comments come at a time when industry is reviewing its decarbonization goals. Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production is ramping up too slowly, battery performance is stagnating and Airbus has postponed its ZEROe project, citing a lack of readiness of the hydrogen ecosystem. While the feeling is growing that 2050 targets will be missed, Brunini’s remarks signal a need for renewed stability in the goals aviation is pursuing.
“Let’s not give up on hydrogen,” he said, speaking on the sidelines of the Clean Aviation Annual Forum held March 18-19 here in Brussels. The latest version of the Destination 2050 roadmap devised by industry—including ACI—takes into account Airbus’ delay, he noted. The roadmap’s reliance on hydrogen as a contributor to aviation’s sustainability in the next two decades has thus decreased.
SAF thus has a strengthened leading role in Destination 2050. “Nevertheless, we need hydrogen,” Brunini said. “SAF will not do it alone. We also need new-technology aircraft to reach net zero. We should not stop because of a 5-10 years delay.”
Brunini is also the CEO of airport operator SEA Milan Airports. At Milan Malpensa airport, hydrogen needs would total 100-300 metric tons per day, and the top 10 airports in Europe would need to invest a combined €16 billion ($17.4 billion), he said. For safety reasons, trucks cannot carry hydrogen to airports so pipelines, storage facilities and liquefiers will be required, he said.
“We must work on the first bricks now, let’s not relax, otherwise we will fall into a vicious circle and airframers will blame a lagging infrastructure again,” he said. “Hydrogen will be for short- to medium-range aircraft only, yet it is part of the solution.” As a first step, airports should encourage ground vehicles to use hydrogen so they contribute to creating a critical mass in hydrogen needs, he added.
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