Preparing Airports for Hydrogen-Powered Aviation
Hydrogen is expected to become a key energy carrier for (regional) aviation. To enable its future use, airports need more than new aircraft technologies. They require concepts for supply, storage, handling and integration into daily operations.
BSR Hydrogen Air Transport (BSR HyAirport) brings together airports, airlines, industry partners and research organisations across the Baltic Sea Region to develop the practical foundations for hydrogen-powered aviation and prepare airports for future gaseous hydrogen operations.
Project Duration
November 2023 – October 2026
Funding Program
Interreg Baltic Sea Region 2021–2027
Geographical Scope
Baltic Sea Region
Project Lead Partner
Airport Hamburg
Project Objectives
From Hydrogen Concepts to Airport Readiness
The transition to hydrogen-powered aviation is expected to require new infrastructure, adapted operational processes, and reliable supply concepts.
BSR HyAirport aims to help airports prepare for these challenges by developing practical approaches for hydrogen supply, storage, handling and aircraft refuelling. At the same time, the project supports the development of common standards, operational concepts and business perspectives for the future use of hydrogen in aviation.
Project Approach
From Analysis to Implementation
The project addresses the entire hydrogen value chain at airports, from regional supply concepts to on-site operations. The project partners jointly develop, test and evaluate solutions covering:
- Hydrogen supply and logistics.
- Storage and distribution concepts.
- Aircraft and ground handling requirements.
- Airport equipment and infrastructure.
- Regulatory and operational frameworks.
Through pilots and collaborative testing, these solutions are validated and translated into recommendations that can support airports across the Baltic Sea Region.
Project Partners
BSR HyAirport unites 16 project partners and 24 associated organisations from seven Baltic Sea Region countries. The partnership combines expertise from airports, airlines, technology providers, public authorities, industry associations and research institutions. This collaboration ensures that technical, operational and regulatory perspectives are considered equally when preparing airports for hydrogen-powered aviation.
Expected Results
BSR HyAirport will provide airports and stakeholders with a practical foundation for future hydrogen operations. Expected results include:
- Concepts for regional hydrogen supply chains
- Recommendations for airport infrastructure and operations
- Tested solutions for handling and refuelling hydrogen
- Guidance for regulatory and safety requirements
- Knowledge transfer across the Baltic Sea Region aviation community
The project will help airports better understand future requirements and support informed planning and investment decisions.
The Role of HPC in the Project
As the initiator of BSR HyAirport, HPC assembled an international consortium of airports, airlines, technology providers, research organisations, and public authorities from across the Baltic Sea Region to explore how hydrogen can be integrated into future airport operations and aviation.
HPC also led the development of the project concept and prepared the successful Interreg funding application that secured financial support for the initiative. After being selected through a competitive public tender process, HPC assumed responsibility for the coordination and management of the project.
Alongside these responsibilities, HPC contributes its expertise in air transport development and demand forecasting. This enables HPC to support the project from the initial concept and funding acquisition through to practical implementation, helping to advance application-oriented solutions for the use of hydrogen in aviation.