Through the partnership, the companies plan to prepare a roadmap to address the challenges of transitioning to hydrogen use and define a support plan for hydrogen needs.

Kansai International Airport, Osaka International Airport, and Kobe Airport will be at the centre of the agreement, where Airbus and Kansai hope to define the potential opportunities hydrogen can offer to decarbonise the Japanese aviation industry.

Airbus has said it will provide aircraft characteristics, fleet energy usage, and insight on hydrogen-powered aircraft ground operations, while Kansai Airports is due to study required airport infrastructure for the introduction of hydrogen-fuelled aircraft.

Yoshiyuki Yamaya, Representative Director and CEO of Kansai Airports, said, “We have set a target to reach Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 for the three airports we operate, and this partnership with leading aircraft manufacturer Airbus will help us reach this goal.”

Airbus is already working with VINCI Airports to explore hydrogen usage in the aviation industry, most notably with the pilot project to develop Europe’s first hydrogen airport in France.

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

Stéphane Ginoux, Head of North Asia Region for Airbus and President of Airbus Japan, said, “We are very pleased to have Kansai Airports, one of Japan’s major airport groups, on board.

“Hydrogen is one of the most promising zero-emission technologies as it can be created from renewable energy and does not produce emissions. Renewable hydrogen will help decarbonise not only aircraft but also all airport-associated ground transport.”