Ministers are being urged to instigate an industry review of how aviation fits into the UK’s green energy plans.
A new consortium of airlines, airports and manufacturers wants a cross-Whitehall view on a national hydrogen strategy.
The group warns that rivals are leading the way with Germany investing €8 billion in 62 large scale hydrogen projects, and France €7.2 billion in developing of low carbon and renewable hydrogen
The Project Napkin group published a study on the potential of a carbon free future for UK domestic aviation by 2040 to coincide with thew start of the Cop27 climate change conference in Egypt.
It suggests that passengers could be flying between all regions of the UK on carbon emissions-free aircraft within the next 20 years.
The consortium, involving British Airways, EasyJet and Loganair alongside Heathrow, London City airport and Highlands and Islands Airports, believes the first hydrogen-fuelled flights, on small, modified aircraft could be possible by 2026, especially between the UK mainland and island communities.
Aircraft carrying between 40 and 90 passengers, flying up to 1,400 nautical miles could be deployed across the UK’s domestic route network and into Europe by the end of the next decade.
London City has the potential to operate an entirely zero emission domestic network between 2035 and 2040.
And Heathrow could handle 90-seat zero emission aircraft from airports around the UK in the same timeframe, feeding long-haul travel using the latest, sustainable aviation fuels.
As well as generating a “carbon benefit”, analysis from the University of Southampton suggests that airports, such as Inverness and London City that have a high penetration of hydrogen aircraft could also see an overall reduction in noise, benefiting local communities.
But larger airports will need to have the necessary on-site infrastructure in place to handle large quantities of liquid hydrogen, with an annual 68% increase in demand for green hydrogen anticipated.
London City may need storage facilities to accommodate a projected annual demand of 1,000 tonnes of hydrogen with delivery potentially made via the River Thames by 2035.
With a potential annual demand of 90,000 tonnes, Heathrow will need to consider on site hydrogen distribution networks and a potential liquefaction facility to avoid delivery by road by 2040.
The UK aviation sector might require as much as 300,000 tonnes of green hydrogen to meet future demand by 2040, which will increase further as more airlines switch to zero emission aircraft.
To achieve this, the consortium recommends a cross Whitehall, pan-industry review of how aviation fits into the national hydrogen strategy.
Heathrow head of carbon strategy Matt Prescott said: “Project Napkin marks an important step on the way to ‘jet zero’.
“It shows that with the right support and market conditions hydrogen-fuelled aircraft will unlock net zero for regional aviation, complementing sustainable aviation fuels for longer flights.”
Cranfield Aerospace Solutions chief strategy officer Jenny Kavanagh said: “The goal of this project was to ascertain whether a carbon-free aviation system could be economically viable in the UK.
“The answer to that question is yes – it is possible and within our power to achieve.
“The transition to zero carbon flying will take time, but it is a process which must start, and is starting, now.
“We in the consortium stand ready to work with government, with industry, and with partners globally from all sectors so that we can meet the clear and present environmental challenge, continue to connect people and places, and position the UK at the vanguard of clean aviation.”
The report followed the disclosure that AGS, which owns and operates Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports, is working with sustainable aviation specialist ZeroAvia to assess the opportunities for on-site hydrogen production as well as exploring potential commercial routes.