The Hydrogen in Aviation (HIA) alliance has listed five recommendations to meet and ensure the UK becomes a “global leader” in the industry.
Established by easyJet, Rolls-Royce, Airbus, Ørsted, GKN Aerospace, Bristol Airport and ZeroAvia, the HIA has released the Milestone Delivery Report to address the changes needed in the short, medium and long-term.
The report recommends:
- Measures are taken to support the transition from research to development and industrialisation of propulsion and flight technologies in the UK.
- The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is appropriately resourced and funded with the capacity to lead on certification, standard-setting, and new regulation – working in coordination with other bodies and the academic community.
- Build a well-developed network of “hydrogen-ready” airports in the UK and overseas.
- Government to provide the necessary support and incentives needed to address the transition costs and infrastructure investment challenges.
- Scale-up both hydrogen production capacity and renewable power, carbon capture and low-carbon hydrogen generation to ensure aviation can decarbonise.
- Government and industry to work together to equip the UK’s workforce with the appropriate skills and ensure industry-readiness to support the transition to new technology.
Johan Lundgren, the CEO of easyJet and first Chair of HIA, claimed the report will be a “vital component in decarbonising the aviation sector.”