Airbus, Kansai Airports, and Kawasaki Partner to Explore Hydrogen Infrastructure for Future Aviation in Japan

Airbus, Kansai Airports, and Kawasaki Partner to Explore Hydrogen Infrastructure for Future Aviation in Japan

(IN BRIEF) Airbus, Kansai Airports, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries have signed an agreement to explore the feasibility of hydrogen infrastructure at three key airports in Japan’s Kansai region. This collaboration is part of Airbus’s “Hydrogen Hub at Airports” initiative, which aims to prepare airports for hydrogen-powered aircraft. The study will evaluate the technical, economic, and legal aspects of hydrogen deployment, with potential demonstration projects and policy recommendations. Airbus has also forecasted hydrogen demand, estimating a gradual increase in usage as hydrogen aircraft become more common, potentially reaching several hundred tons per day by 2050. Kansai Airports and Kawasaki, both experienced in hydrogen technologies, are collaborating to support Japan’s hydrogen strategy and the global decarbonization of aviation.

(PRESS RELEASE) TOULOUSE, 19-Oct-2024— /EuropaWire/ — Airbus, Kansai Airports, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries have taken a significant step forward in hydrogen-powered aviation by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the feasibility of hydrogen infrastructure at three key airports in Japan’s Kansai region: Kansai International Airport, Osaka International Airport, and Kobe Airport. This collaboration marks a major milestone in the ongoing “Hydrogen Hub at Airports” initiative, which aims to accelerate the transition to hydrogen-powered aircraft and sustainable airport operations.

The agreement will focus on conducting a feasibility study that outlines the development of hydrogen infrastructure tailored to the specific characteristics of the airports and the aircraft that will use them. This study will examine the technological, economic, legal, and operational aspects of hydrogen deployment, providing a clear path forward through potential demonstration projects and policy recommendations.

Since 2022, Airbus has worked closely with Kansai Airports on the integration of hydrogen into airport infrastructure, with Kansai demonstrating advanced hydrogen capabilities through the use of fuel cell buses and forklifts. The collaboration with Kawasaki, a leading provider of hydrogen solutions, has further strengthened these efforts, with Kawasaki showcasing its expertise in designing end-to-end cryogenic hydrogen supply networks. The combination of these efforts has laid a solid foundation for the next phase of the study, incorporating both the supply chain and airport operational perspectives.

As part of this partnership, Airbus conducted a liquid hydrogen demand forecast, estimating that a few tons of hydrogen per day would be required in the initial phase of aircraft operations, with demand potentially increasing to several hundred tons per day by 2050. The Kansai region is seen as a promising market for hydrogen aviation, supported by strong policy measures and a growing hydrogen industry.

Karine Guenan, Head of ZEROe Ecosystem at Airbus, highlighted the importance of hydrogen in the global effort to decarbonize and noted Japan’s proactive hydrogen strategy, which aligns with the country’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. Guenan expressed confidence that the collaboration would support the introduction of hydrogen-powered aircraft by 2035.

Yoshiyuki Yamaya and Benoit Rulleau, CEOs of Kansai Airports, emphasized that this partnership would not only enhance hydrogen solutions within the airport sector but also contribute to the decarbonization of the aviation industry. They reinforced their commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and establishing Kansai Airports as a model for hydrogen use in airport infrastructure.

Motohiko Nishimura, Executive Officer at Kawasaki, underscored Kawasaki’s long-standing expertise in hydrogen technology, which has been developed to establish an international hydrogen supply chain. He expressed optimism that this collaboration would accelerate Kawasaki’s efforts to support hydrogen-powered aviation as a key solution to reducing CO2 emissions in the sector.

The joint efforts of Airbus, Kansai Airports, and Kawasaki are expected to contribute to the early realization of decarbonized airport infrastructure in Japan, bringing the aviation industry closer to the widespread adoption of hydrogen-powered aircraft. Airbus, having introduced its ZEROe concept in 2020 with the ambition of delivering the world’s first hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft by 2035, continues to push forward in developing the technologies necessary to achieve this goal. The “Hydrogen Hub at Airports” program, which has established partnerships in 14 countries, including Japan, plays a critical role in making this vision a reality.

Media Contacts:

Takahiro Nosaka
Airbus Japan
Phone: +81 90 9131 8046
takahiro.nosaka@airbus.com

Group Corporate Communications
Kansai Airports
Phone: +81-72-455-2201
pr@kansai-airports.co.jp

Corporate Communication Group
Kawasaki Heavy Industries
kawasaki-press@khi.co.jp

SOURCE: Airbus

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