Airbus, Linde to cooperate on hydrogen infrastructure for airports

Airbus and global industrial gases and engineering company Linde officials have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to work on the development of hydrogen infrastructure at airports worldwide.

The agreement follows a cooperation agreement signed in Singapore in February and covers collaboration on global supply chains for hydrogen, from production to airport storage, including the integration of refueling into normal ground handling operations. Both companies will define and launch pilot projects at several airports from early 2023 onward. In addition, Airbus and Linde will analyze the potential of power-to-liquid fuels – a type of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) made from the synthetically produced liquid hydrocarbon through the conversion of renewable electricity.

"We are advancing well with hydrogen as an important technology pathway to achieve our ambition of bringing a zero-emission commercial aircraft to market by 2035. Building the infrastructure is just as crucial. That's why we are working closely with partners like Linde, who have decades of experience and expertise worldwide in the storage and distribution of hydrogen," said Airbus Chief Technical Officer Sabine Klauke.

“We are pleased to expand our successful collaboration with Airbus to a global scope,” said Philippe Peccard, vice president Clean Energy, Linde. “By harnessing both companies’ competencies we are well positioned to collaborate with airports and government authorities in the development of viable concepts for sustainable airport hubs based on hydrogen.”

The use of hydrogen to power future aircraft is not only expected to significantly reduce aircraft emissions in the air but could also help decarbonize air transport activities on the ground. In 2020 Airbus launched the “Hydrogen Hub at Airports” program to jumpstart research into infrastructure requirements and low-carbon airport operations, across the entire value chain. To date agreements have been signed with partners and airports in France, Italy, South Korea, Japan, and Singapore.

The first ZEROe concept aircraft were unveiled in 2020, and development of the corresponding technology bricks is now underway in a global R&T network focused on developing the hydrogen technology for future commercial aircraft.