Air Liquide, Airbus and Groupe ADP to make Paris airports ready for hydrogen based aviation

Air Liquide, Airbus and Groupe ADP agreed to prepare for the arrival of hydrogen in airports by 2035 as part of the development of hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft.

Under the MoU, the partners will offer their expertise to help the decarbonisation of the aviation industry. The partners will carry out feasibility studies to explore developing hydrogen supply infrastructure. To prepare for the first hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft by 2035, airports should have the required infrastructure, particularly liquid hydrogen supply.

Initially, a study involving around 30 airports worldwide will be launched to assess potential configurations for liquid hydrogen production, supply and distribution. Detailed scenarios and plans will then be drawn up for the two main Paris airports: Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Paris-Orly. The study will play a key role in understanding the required infrastructure, including scope and location, and identifying and integrating the constraints relative to industrial and aviation safety standards.

Matthieu Giard, Vice President of Air Liquide, said, “To the aviation industry, Air Liquide brings its unique expertise in the hydrogen supply chain, in particular with regards to liquid hydrogen, which requires advanced mastery of extreme cryogenics.

Antoine Bouvier, Airbus Head of Strategy, Mergers & Acquisitions and Public Affairs, said, “This partnership between an aircraft manufacturer, an airport authority and a hydrogen expert is an important and necessary step to prepare for the entry-into-service of a zero-emission aircraft by 2035.”

And Edward Arkwright, Groupe ADP Deputy CEO, added, “With our partners, we are ready to launch feasibility studies to enable the gradual introduction of hydrogen at Paris airports.”