Hydrogen in Aviation Alliance shortlisted for the Hydrogen UK Best Thought Leadership Award

  • The Hydrogen in Aviation Alliance (HIA) has been shortlisted for Hydrogen UK’s Best Thought Leadership Award.
  • This shortlist recognises the Hydrogen in Aviation alliance for its commitment to driving progress and innovation in the hydrogen sector.
  • In 2025 the Alliance will continue to champion the development of hydrogen propulsion technologies and the enabling infrastructure that the UK needs to make hydrogen-powered flight a reality.  

As of Wednesay 15 January 2025, HIA has been shortlisted for the Hydrogen UK Best Thought Leadership Award. The award recognises exceptional thought leadership in the hydrogen sector. Nominated alongside HIA are Centrica, Penspen and BSI Flex 2073 and Commercial Fuel Solutions.

HIA member easyJet has also been shortlisted for the Hydrogen for Transport Award – honouring advancements in hydrogen applications for road transport.

The Hydrogen UK Awards seek to celebrate the excellence and innovation in the hydrogen industry, recognising the outstanding achievements and contributions of individuals and organisations driving the hydrogen economy forward. The awards ceremony where the winners will be announced is due to take place in April later this year at the National Convention Centre in Birmingham.

HIA had a successful 2024 during which the Alliance released “Launching Hydrogen-Powered Aviation,” the group’s first milestone report outlining the steps and timeline the UK Government and industry need to follow to secure the UK’s position as a global leader in hydrogen-powered aviation.

Looking ahead, HIA will focus on exploring in detail a number of the key recommendations outlined in its milestone delivery report – including around airport infrastructure and hydrogen skills development – looking at the steps needed to make the UK ready for the hydrogen transition. 

 

Notes to editors: 

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.