Airport World - Joe Bates
The foundations for the aviation sector’s transition to renewable energy are set to be developed in the Baltic Sea region within the next three years, according to partners in the EU backed project.
The bold claim coincides with the official launch of the ‘BSR HyAirport’ project, which involves the participation of 16 airports, airlines, research institutions, and technology companies from Scandinavia, the Baltic States, Poland, and Germany.
It is stated that between them they will collaborate with 24 associated organisations “to shape the future of aviation”.
The project’s work packages aim to create the pre-conditions for hydrogen-powered flights over the next three years, with the goal of enabling the first demonstration flights in the Baltic Sea region within this decade.
The EU is supporting ‘BSR HyAirport’ through €3.8 million in funding via the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Program. The project seeks to establish applications of hydrogen technology in aviation.
It is claimed that gaseous green hydrogen is initially well-suited as a fuel for flights over shorter distances, making it particularly suitable for flight connections in the Baltic Sea Region. Indeed, they argue that regular air traffic with regional aircraft of up to approximately 80 seats is expected in this decade.
