Airbus, along with five other key players, is embarking on a pioneering venture to create Spain’s first hydrogen airport hub. This marks the first instance of a collaborative effort that unites partners from across the entire value chain. Joining Airbus in this initiative are the Spanish airport management company Aena, the regional airline Air Nostrum, the national flag carrier Iberia, the fuel storage and transportation leader Exolum, and the energy provider Repsol. Together, they aim to advance hydrogen-powered aviation in Spain.
The collaboration is designed to offer a comprehensive understanding of the requirements for hydrogen aircraft. This includes the fuel’s supply, necessary infrastructure, and the specific needs for ground operations. “Given Spain’s great potential in renewables and low carbon hydrogen production, it is essential that the aviation industry as a whole collaborates to secure a future end-to-end hydrogen supply chain up to the airports,” commented Karine Guenan, Airbus’ vice president of the ZEROe Ecosystem.
María José Sanz, the director of quality and environment at Air Nostrum, highlighted the significance of their role: “As a regional airline, we can be relevant in the project because we have the necessary conditions to become the first implementers of hydrogen technology, thanks to the size of our aircraft and the average distance we fly.” This collaboration underscores the regional airline’s strategic position to pioneer the implementation of hydrogen technology.
To date, Airbus has forged agreements with partners and airports in 13 countries to promote the expansion of hydrogen infrastructure in aviation. This global approach underscores Airbus’s commitment to fostering sustainable aviation practices worldwide.
The joint effort by Airbus and its partners is a significant step towards establishing a sustainable hydrogen infrastructure for aviation in Spain, leveraging the country’s renewable resources and technological potential. This initiative not only positions Spain as a leader in hydrogen-powered aviation but also aligns with the broader goal of reducing carbon emissions in the industry.
Avation PLC (LON:AVAP) is a commercial passenger aircraft leasing company owning a fleet of aircraft which it leases to airlines across the world. Avation’s future focus are new technology low CO2 emission aircraft.
