UK Hydrogen in Aviation alliance launches
The alliance has been established by a group of companies in the UK aviation and renewable energy sectors.
The HIA will work to ensure the UK capitalises on what it says is the huge opportunity that hydrogen presents to aviation and the country as a whole.
The group includes easyJet, Rolls-Royce, Airbus, Ørsted, GKN Aerospace and Bristol Airport.
Other fuel options being available - such as sustainable aviation fuels, syntheitic fuels or batteries - HIA thinks the direct use of hydrogen should receive more attention.
Airbus says it is developing new hydrogen-powered aircraft with the aim of entering commercial service from 2035, while Rolls-Royce has already powered a jet engine after ground tests in 2022.
The alliance aims to work with government, local authorities and hydrogen sectors on three key areas: supporting the delivery of the infrastructure needed for the UK to be a global leader; ensuring the aviation regulatory regime is hydrogen ready; and transforming the funding for hydrogen aviation R&D support into a 10-year programme, if the UK is to see the economic benefits and meet decarbonisation targets.
The Jet Zero council has projected that rapid investment in hydrogen aviation could see the UK securing up to 19% global aerospace industry share of a benefit valued at £178bn per annum in 2050, which could generate around £34bln per annum for the UK.
