Under the umbrella dubbed the Hydrogen Consortium, the six international partners launched the initiative at Christchurch Airport to make leaps towards hydrogen-powered take-off.

Over the next six months, the companies will work together to design a hydrogen ecosystem for aviation in New Zealand, with the first research phase expected to be completed by the end of this year (2023).

Additionally, the consortium has said it will develop a vision for hydrogen aviation for the country, examine the hydrogen supply chain and its challenges, assess the local aviation market’s projected hydrogen needs to 2050, and develop a pathway of policies, regulations, and incentives to promote the development of hydrogen aviation.

Under its second phase, the players will focus on whether hydrogen aircraft test flights can be held in New Zealand, backing up Air New Zealand’s plans to fly a commercial demonstrator flight from 2026, and begin replacing its turboprop fleet with low-emission aircraft from 2030.

Just last week (February 7), the airline partnered with Universal Hydrogen as part of its Mission Next Gen Aircraft programme.

Read more: Universal Hydrogen becomes partner of Air New Zealand

“To fly hydrogen-powered aircraft in New Zealand we will need an aviation ecosystem that can support it,” said Kiri Hannifin, Chief Sustainability Officer at Air New Zealand. “The Hydrogen Consortium brings together energy, aircraft, airline operator and airport expertise with the aim of bringing this to life. We can’t wait to see what we can achieve together.”

Mark Hutchinson, CEO of FFI, explained, “We are on a mission to eliminate fossil fuels, including from the aviation industry, and green hydrogen is key to achieving this.”

In close cooperation with the partners, Airbus has said it will use its hydrogen hubs at airports concept to engage with player to perform a complete assessment of energy supply needs to enable the operation of hydrogen-powered aircraft.

In 2021, Airbus partnered with VINCI and Air Liquide to develop Europe’s first hydrogen airport at Lyon-Saint Exupéry, France.

Read more: Airbus, Air Liquide, and VINCI Aiports to develop Europe’s first hydrogen airport by 2023

“The consortium we are building brings together a number of pioneering partners with a common interest: to make hydrogen-powered aviation in New Zealand a reality,” commented, Karine Guenan, Vice-President of Airbus ZEROe Ecosystem.

H2 View understands, Christchurch-based liquid hydrogen solutions company Fabrum will look to leverage its experience having developed lightweight liquid hydrogen fuel tank technology for aviation use.

“Together we’ll make a big difference in taking zero-emission aviation forward which is good news for anyone who wants to fly sustainably in the future,” said Christopher Boyle, co-founder of Fabrum.

Currently in the process of constructing key green hydrogen infrastructure for transport, including aviation, marine, and heavy road sectors, Hiringa Energy first four production and high-capacity refuelling stations are expected to come online in New Zealand in 2023.

Read more: Construction of New Zealand’s ‘first’ high-capacity green hydrogen refuelling site set to begin

Andrew Clennett, Chief Executive of Hiringa Energy explained that green hydrogen-fuelled road and water transport have already begun refuelling in New Zealand, adding, “Aircraft art a key next step, and this consortium has formed to ensure these planes have the infrastructure and hydrogen supply they will need to take off here.”