Airbus, Kansai Airports, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries (Kawasaki) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to study the feasibility of hydrogen infrastructure at three airports operated in the Kansai region - Kansai International Airport, Osaka International Airport, and Kobe Airport.
With this MoU, the three parties will conduct an initial feasibility study for the introduction and operation of hydrogen aircraft as part of the “Hydrogen Hub at Airports” program* and strengthen collaboration to materialize the supply of hydrogen to aircraft at the three airports.
The new initiative by the three parties will focus on the definition of a hydrogen infrastructure and supply roadmap at all three airports. This will be based on specific aircraft and airport characteristics.
The results will be evaluated from the perspectives of technology, economics, legal compatibility, and operations. The approach to the challenges identified will be clarified through potential demonstration projects to be launched and roadmap development, leading to policy recommendations.
Airbus, Kansai Airports and Kawasaki will contribute to the early realization of the decarbonization of airport infrastructure in Japan by collaborating on this MOU, with the aim of realizing a society in which hydrogen aircraft can operate in the future.
Karine Guenan, Head of ZEROe Ecosystem: “Hydrogen is attracting global attention as a way to decarbonize. The Japanese Government is promoting a hydrogen-based energy strategy to achieve its carbon neutrality target by 2050. In fact, the Japanese Government has announced specific plans for the development of hydrogen from production to consumption. We believe our partnership with Japanese companies under the Hydrogen Hubs at Airports program will contribute to the introduction of a hydrogen-powered aircraft by 2035.”
Yoshiyuki Yamaya, Representative Director and CEO, and Benoit Rulleau, Representative Director and Co-CEO of Kansai Airports: “Kansai Airports has set a vision to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and is actively pursuing various initiatives, including the use of hydrogen, to reduce environmental impact. We are delighted that this partnership will not only help us crystallize hydrogen solutions in the airport sector but also contribute to the decarbonization in the aviation industry. Based on our efforts since 2022, we will strengthen collaboration with new partners and strive to become a model for hydrogen use in airport infrastructure.”
Motohiko Nishimura, Executive Officer and Deputy General Manager of Hydrogen Strategy Division, Kawasaki: “Kawasaki has been developing all sorts of technologies required for establishing an international hydrogen supply chain, after recognizing early on the value of hydrogen as a ‘clean’ energy carrier which emits no CO2 when used. We believe that this three-company partnership will be a step towards a solution for decarbonization through the use of hydrogen in the aviation industry, where a reduction in CO2 emissions has been deemed difficult. The signing of this memorandum of agreement is sure to accelerate Kawasaki’s efforts to achieve a hydrogen-powered aircraft.”
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 unveiled the first ZEROe concepts with the ambition to bring to market the world's first hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft by 2035. The development of the corresponding technology bricks is now underway in a global Research & Technology network.
