Bristol Airport set to pioneer first hydrogen-powered flight

The first flight of an aircraft powered by liquid hydrogen from a UK commercial airport is expected to take off from Bristol before the end of the decade.  

It is one of the three aviation decarbonisation projects funded by an £8 million Zero Emissions Flight Demonstrator Programme, run by Innovate UK and supported by the Department for Transport (DfT). 

The liquid hydrogen flight will be delivered by UK-led consortium Cryogenic Hydrogen Optimised Systems for AviatioN (CHOSAN) which is focused on demonstrating the practical use of liquid hydrogen as a low-carbon aviation fuel.

The group will work in close collaboration with the Civil Aviation Authority, alongside partners including Bristol Airport to demonstrate liquid hydrogen as a viable fuel for the next generation of commercial aviation, as part of a £1.7 million project. 

The scheme aims to deliver a series of regional flights by a light aircraft powered by hydrogen, with the first from Bristol Airport.

The aim is to demonstrate that liquid hydrogen can be used at a commercial airport. The inaugural flight is expected to take place “in the next couple of years”. 

The plans emerged as the DfT projected that electric aircraft could be used for future flying taxi services, and hydrogen-powered aircraft will soon take to UK skies as a result of £7.3 million awarded to eight British companies.

Vertical Aerospace, which has received millions in government funding, demonstrated a six-seat electric aircraft and a new UK manufacturing contract at the Farnborough International Airshow, supporting jobs in the southwest and passenger services by 2029. 

Bristol Airport is also supporting separate projects led by ZeroAvia and Equilibrion, which have also obtained government funds. ZeroAvia’s HyPRIME project will develop and demonstrate a mobile hydrogen refuelling vehicle capable of supporting liquid hydrogen-powered aircraft and ground support equipment. 

Equilibrion will be undertaking a 12-month feasibility study to examine how liquid hydrogen can be supplied, stored, and managed at the airport to support future zero-emission aircraft operations.

Hydrogen is being seen as having the potential to help cut the climate impact of aviation in the long term and transform air transport in a way comparable to the impact of electric vehicles in the automotive sector.

Airport chief executive Dave Lees said: "We’re immensely proud to be part of these three transformative projects, which aim to demonstrate zero emission commercial flights in the UK.  

“Bristol Airport has a strong record of supporting innovation – we hosted the UK’s first airside hydrogen refuelling trial and our ACT Programme has funded several pioneering projects to reduce emissions.

“The latest projects build on this work and will move the whole industry towards developing zero carbon flight.” 

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander said: “By powering up electric and hydrogen-powered planes, we’re bringing passengers closer to the flights of the future - while creating skilled jobs, backing UK businesses and spreading economic growth to all four corners of the country.  

“We’re working hand in hand with industry to cut emissions, drive innovation, and ensure the UK remains one of the best places in the world to build, test and fly the aircraft of tomorrow.”