Exeter Airport Hosts Groundbreaking Hydrogen-Powered Demonstration for Commercial Aircraft
Key Ideas
  • Exeter Airport conducted a successful live demonstration using hydrogen-powered ground support equipment for a TUI Boeing 737, marking a significant progress towards zero-emission aviation infrastructure.
  • The trial, supported by various organizations including TUI, Cranfield University, ULEMCo, MULAG, and Boeing, showcased multiple hydrogen-powered systems simultaneously supporting the turnaround of a commercial passenger aircraft.
  • All hydrogen used in the trial was produced using renewable energy sources, contributing to future safety and regulatory standards for hydrogen use in airport operations, as part of the UK Civil Aviation Authority's Hydrogen Challenge programme.
  • The initiative received praise for its potential to decarbonize ground operations, with participants highlighting the importance of hydrogen infrastructure investment in the UK aviation industry.
Exeter Airport in the UK recently achieved a milestone by hosting a live demonstration of hydrogen-powered ground operations for a commercial aircraft. The trial involved turning around a TUI Boeing 737 using solely hydrogen-powered ground support equipment, such as a baggage tug, pushback tug, and ground power unit, all fueled by green hydrogen. This initiative, in collaboration with TUI, Cranfield University, ULEMCo, MULAG, and Boeing, is believed to be the first of its kind in the UK and potentially worldwide. The hydrogen used in the trial was supplied by Protium and refueled using a HyQube 350 refueller from Fuel Cell Systems Ltd, all produced from renewable energy sources. Data collected will contribute to an academic study led by Cranfield University, aiming to shape future safety and regulatory standards for hydrogen in airport operations. The project forms part of the UK Civil Aviation Authority's Hydrogen Challenge programme, funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology's Regulators' Pioneer Fund. The successful trial received positive feedback from various stakeholders, including the Science Minister, airport authorities, and industry experts, who emphasized the importance of such initiatives in driving sustainability and innovation within the aviation sector. The demonstration highlighted the potential of hydrogen as a safe and viable energy source for aviation, showcasing its ability to decarbonize ground operations effectively. The trial's deployment of three different hydrogen technologies demonstrated a promising step towards reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainability in the aviation industry.
ADVANCEH2

Our vision is to be the world's leading online platform for advancing the use of hydrogen as a critical piece needed to deliver net-zero initiatives and the promise of a clean H2 energy future.

© 2025 AdvanceH2, LLC. All rights reserved.