£188m industry backing for UK hydrogen aviation as alliance welcomes Airbus as Chair

19 May 2026

The Hydrogen in Aviation Alliance, a group of pioneering businesses across the UK’s aviation ecosystem, have today announced combined investments of £188 million into innovation and R&D for hydrogen-powered aviation.

The companies leading today’s announcement, Airbus, Bristol Airport, easyJet, Intelligent Energy, GKN Aerospace, and Rolls-Royce, make up the Hydrogen in Aviation Alliance (HIA). HIA’s core mission is to ensure the UK maximises its opportunity to be a global leader in hydrogen-powered aviation.

Welcoming the investment, Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation Minister, Keir Mather, said:

“We have the talent and innovation to lead the future of clean aviation, and this £188 million investment by industry will help create high-skilled jobs and drive growth across the UK, alongside our £43 million investment for green technology research and development.

“From research labs to the runways of the future, we’re working with industry to back the next generation of sustainable flight and putting Britain at the forefront of green aviation.”

The announcement comes as HIA names Andy Reynolds, Vice President Fuel and Inerting Systems at Airbus, as the new Chair of the Alliance. Andy takes over from outgoing Chair, Russ Dunn, GKN Aerospace’s Chief Technology Officer. On stepping into the chair role, Andy said:

“I am delighted to be taking over as HIA Chair at a time when we are seeing real technological progress in hydrogen powered flight. No matter which decarbonisation roadmap you look at, hydrogen remains a vital part of reducing the climate impact of aviation. Our aim is now to move beyond the early ‘hype’ of hydrogen to achieve the next steps in propulsion technologies, airframe systems and infrastructure. It is essential that this pace is also matched by development in the supporting ecosystem and policy sphere, and this is where HIA can support UK decision makers in seizing this opportunity for growth and decarbonisation.”

Reaffirming the essential role of hydrogen in decarbonising aviation, the Jet Zero Taskforce, chaired by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, recently published a report which highlighted the UK’s leadership potential in commercial hydrogen flight.

In a further boost to the Alliance, the HIA also welcomes new member Intelligent Energy, which is pioneering hydrogen fuel cells for aviation. Greg Harris, Chief Commercial Officer, Intelligent Energy, said:

“At IE, we are committed to the use of hydrogen and fuel cells in aviation. Since our fuel cells were used by Boeing in the world’s first manned fuel cell-powered flight in 2008, we have continued to develop flight specific fuel cell technology with partners such as GKN Aerospace and the support of the UK’s ATI. Joining Hydrogen in Aviation allows us to work alongside partners across the sector – from aircraft design and propulsion to infrastructure and regulation – with the aim to make the UK a key supplier of the technology needed for practical, zero-emission flight.”

At a high-profile event today in Parliament, the HIA is setting out what’s needed for the UK to seize its opportunity to be a world leader in commercial hydrogen flight. Following recent successes in testing hydrogen propulsion technology, the next milestone will be small-scale, regional flights across the UK. Putting in place the right infrastructure, regulation and investment for smaller-scale flights will enable larger hydrogen-powered aircraft.

Today’s event shows that the future of aviation can be made in the UK, and that hydrogen-powered aviation is key to this ambition.

Editor’s notes

• The UK aerospace industry is the second largest in the world and has a reputation as a centre for excellence.[1]
• The UK aviation and aerospace sectors are crown jewels for UK innovation, intellectual property, trade, and exports. In 2025, the UK aerospace sector had a turnover of £34bn, contributing £23.2bn in exports, and directly employing over 100,000 people across the UK.[2] 60% of UK Parliamentary constituencies have 500 or more people working in aerospace, aviation, or in the wider supply chain.
• In 2023, aviation accounted for 8% of UK emissions. Globally, aviation is responsible for 2.1% of all human-induced CO2 emissions.[3]
• HIA members are delivering key projects across 2026, including:
  • Airbus has already broken ground on its ZEROe Development Centre, a new hydrogen testing facility, which will anchor the company’s hydrogen fuel systems testing in the South West with the ambition to share this capability with other industry partners in the region.
  • Bristol Airport is working with partners to host hydrogen trials during 2026. These build on Bristol Airport’s previous hosting of Project Acorn, the UK’s first airside hydrogen refuelling trial at a commercial airport. Their Airport Carbon Transition (ACT) Programme will fund innovative programmes that accelerate the delivery of zero emission flight.
  • GKN Aerospace is leading multiple UK‑backed hydrogen programmes, including H2FlyGHT, a £44 million collaborative project developing a 2 MW cryogenic hydrogen‑electric propulsion system for larger aircraft. Building on the H2GEAR programme, H2FlyGHT will demonstrate an integrated fuel‑cell‑based propulsion system, advancing thermal management, power distribution and drive technologies to accelerate the path to flight testing and certification.
  • Throughout 2026, Intelligent Energy (IE) will advance the HEIGHTS programme – a government-backed project developing a 300kW modular fuel cell system for eVTOL and commuter aircraft. IE’s new Technology Development Centre at Chelveston, Northamptonshire, will open mid-year, enabling full-power testing to accelerate aviation deployment.
  • Rolls-Royce and easyJet are completing their four-year hydrogen gas turbine demonstration programme. In April, they announced the successful completed the testing of a Rolls-Royce Pearl 15 engine on 100% hydrogen. This industry-first achievement has proven that a jet engine can safely run on hydrogen to full take-off thrust and through a full flight cycle. The programme has delivered valuable insights into hydrogen combustion, fuel systems and engine integration – that will shape the delivery of future hydrogen-powered aircraft – strengthening our confidence that the gas turbine will remain at the forefront of sustainable aviation’s future.

For further information, please contact Jane Lindsay, jane.lindsay@airbus.com.

[1] ICAEW: Aerospace in the UK: industry profile

[2] ADS Aerospace Sector UK Outlook 2025

[3] Climate Change Committee’s Seventh Carbon Budget