Enabling Hydrogen in the European Aviation Market

 The analysis shows that introducing hydrogen alongside Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) can accelerate progress towards net zero, particularly when policy incentives reward low-carbon fuels and if hydrogen were to be included within the EU’s SAF mandate.

The research also found that targeted hydrogen infrastructure at around 20 major European airports, including Heathrow, could deliver more than 80% of the emissions benefits of full hydrogen availability across the continent. Concentrating investment at key ‘hydrogen hubs’ would therefore provide a practical and cost-effective path to early adoption.

Further modelling indicates that the earlier novel technologies, such as hydrogen, can be introduced, the more opportunity they present for CO2 emission reductions, underscoring the value of early technological transition where it is financially and technically viable.

Key takeaways from the report include:

• Introducing hydrogen alongside Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) can accelerate progress towards net zero.
• Targeted hydrogen infrastructure a few hydrogen-equipped airports, including Heathrow, would achieve strong emissions reductions and illustrate a path to early adoption.
• Earlier hydrogen adoption presents a bigger opportunity for CO2 emission reductions, underscoring the value of early technological transition where it is financially and technically viable.

The study is underpinned by UCL ATSLab’s Airline Behaviour Model (ABM), which represents the complexity of airline decision-making through specific behavioural variables. Building on this, the research evaluates how fuel costs, incentives and new technologies shape airline responses. This provides a research-based, realistic picture of how hydrogen adoption could evolve, highlighting both opportunities and potential challenges for adoption.

Lahiru Ranasinghe, Director of Sustainability, easyJet, said: “This study outlines the importance of hydrogen as one of the solutions that can help accelerate decarbonisation and support economic growth at the same time.”

Prof. Hervé Morvan, Chief of Future Platforms, Group R&T, Rolls-Royce, said: “By continuing the industry’s development of hydrogen propulsion and strategic infrastructure investment, we stand to achieve net-zero faster while protecting the vital economic benefits that aviation brings.”

Download and read the full report here.

The benefits of hydrogen-powered flight are many and varied: 

Decarbonising aviation is a significant challenge which will require the successful deployment and implementation of multiple technologies and approaches, including SAF, as well as hydrogen. However, the use of hydrogen as an aircraft fuel can offer significant carbon saving benefits compared to other technologies, with green hydrogen (eletrolysed with renewable energy) producing no carbon emissions.

Making the investment in hydrogen now will help to secure and grow the value aviation brings as a vital part of the UK economy. The UK aviation industry contributes more than £22bn directly to GDP, plus £34bn from exporting aerospace components. The industry directly employs over 230,000 people.  

Unlocking the potential of hydrogen will also help to preserve the social benefits of flying, continuing to connect consumers to business, loved ones and new destinations.  

Lastly it will create jobs. In terms of hydrogen, the Hydrogen Skills Workforce Assessment estimated that the UK hydrogen economy could support 29,000 direct jobs by 2030, as well as 64,500 indirect jobs.

The UK is in a strong position to lead the global roll-out of hydrogen in aviation. If we seize this potential, we can transition and upskill existing workforces, whilst creating thousands more jobs through exporting UK-made technologies and knowledge.