Hydrogen aircraft: Airbus prepares the ground in Japan

The European aircraft manufacturer has signed a memorandum of understanding with Kawasaki Heavy Industries and an operator that manages three airports in Japan, in Kansai, Osaka and Kobe.

In preparation for 2035, Airbus is setting up a ‘Hydrogen Hub at Airports’ programme involving partners and airports in 14 countries, including Japan, France, Germany, Italy, the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Australia, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Because of its pioneering role in hydrogen, and government plans to support production and consumption, Japan is high on the list. Cooperation had already begun in 2022 with Kansai Airports, which has deployed hydrogen-powered fuel cell buses and forklift trucks at its three airports. The European group has also been working with Kawasaki, whose role will be to prepare the ecosystem, thanks to its expertise in end-to-end cryogenic technology.

The ambition is to undertake more realistic studies to integrate the supply chain and airport operations. Airbus estimates that a few tonnes of liquid hydrogen per day will be needed from the onset. Then, demand is expected to rise to several hundred tonnes a day by 2050. Airbus believes that the hydrogen industry is mature in Japan, particularly in Kansai. This explains the partnership and its optimistic vision of hydrogen-powered aviation.

“We believe our partnership with Japanese companies under the Hydrogen Hubs at Airports programme will contribute to the introduction of a hydrogen-powered aircraft by 2035” says Karine Guenan, Head of ZEROe Ecosystem at Airbus.

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Article written by Laurent Meillaud and translated by Logan King