Airbus Teams with Kansai Airports and Kawasaki to Drive Hydrogen Innovation at Japanese Airports

Saturday, October 19, 2024

Airbus, Kansai Airports, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the potential for establishing hydrogen infrastructure at three key airports in the Kansai region—Kansai International Airport, Osaka International Airport, and Kobe Airport.

This collaboration aims to assess the feasibility of introducing and operating hydrogen-powered aircraft as part of the “Hydrogen Hub at Airports” initiative. The joint study will focus on developing a roadmap for hydrogen infrastructure and supply at the airports, tailored to their specific characteristics.

The evaluation will cover various aspects, including technology, economic viability, legal compliance, and operational challenges. Potential demonstration projects will help clarify the approach to these challenges and guide the development of policy recommendations.

Since 2022, Airbus has been working with Kansai Airports to explore the integration of hydrogen in airport infrastructure. Kansai Airports has demonstrated its capabilities through the successful operation of hydrogen-powered buses and forklifts. The distinct geographical and operational features of the three airports provide a diverse environment for testing hydrogen supply methods.

Airbus has also partnered with Kawasaki Heavy Industries, a leader in hydrogen solutions, to design cryogenic hydrogen supply networks. Kawasaki’s experience in airport infrastructure development, including baggage handling systems, complements its expertise in hydrogen technology.

These initial studies have provided a solid foundation for the second phase of the project, which will include more in-depth analysis of the hydrogen supply chain and airport operations. Airbus has projected a growing demand for liquid hydrogen, estimating that initial aircraft operations will require several tons of hydrogen per day, potentially scaling up to hundreds of tons per day by 2050.

Airbus and its partners foresee significant opportunities for hydrogen aviation in the Kansai region, supported by a robust hydrogen industry and favorable policy frameworks. This collaboration marks a critical step towards establishing hydrogen as a sustainable energy source in aviation.

“Hydrogen is attracting global attention as a way to decarbonise. The Japanese Government is promoting a hydrogen-based energy strategy to achieve its carbon neutrality target by 2050,” said Karine Guenan, Head of ZEROe Ecosystem. “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 programme will contribute to the introduction of a hydrogen-powered aircraft by 2035.”

“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,” said Yoshiyuki Yamaya, Representative Director and CEO, and Benoit Rulleau, Representative Director and Co-CEO of Kansai Airports. “We are delighted that this partnership will not only help us crystallise 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.”

“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,” said Motohiko Nishimura, Executive Officer and Deputy General Manager of Hydrogen Strategy Division, Kawasaki. “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.”

Airbus, Kansai Airports, and Kawasaki have joined forces through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate the decarbonization of airport infrastructure in Japan. Their collaboration aims to pave the way for a future where hydrogen-powered aircraft can operate, contributing to a more sustainable aviation industry.

Hydrogen-powered aircraft are expected to not only dramatically reduce emissions during flight but also help decarbonize ground operations at airports. In 2020, Airbus introduced its ZEROe concepts, marking the company’s ambition to launch the world’s first hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft by 2035. The necessary technologies to achieve this goal are currently being developed through Airbus’s global Research & Technology network.

To support this vision, Airbus established the “Hydrogen Hub at Airports” program, designed to kickstart research into the infrastructure needed for low-carbon airport operations across the entire supply chain. So far, Airbus has signed agreements with airports and partners in 14 countries, including Japan, France, Germany, the U.S., Canada, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Australia, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

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