Hamburg airport in Germany is taking the next big step towards becoming a hydrogen hub in the general aviation sector. As part of the EU's Interreg Baltic Sea Programme, the Baltic Sea Region Project initiated by Hamburg airport will receive support in the Green Mobility funding category. The project aims to better connect rural Baltic Sea regions to existing aviation hubs with hydrogen-powered small aircraft.

The project, BSR Hydrogen Air Transport - Preparation of Baltic Sea Region Airports for Green Hydrogen, is expected to start in November 2023 and is scheduled to last about three years. It involves 16 project partners and 24 associated organisations in addition to Hamburg airport. The budget is up to 4.8 million euros, of which about 1.1 million euros will be allocated to Hamburg airport. The project partners expect EU funding of around 80 per cent.

Important components of the Baltic Sea Region Project are the development of the supply chain for green, gaseous hydrogen from production to the fuelling of aircraft or airport ground equipment, as well as test operations. Almost all major airport operators around the Baltic Sea are part of the partnership, including Finavia, Swedavia, Lithuanian airports, Riga airport and Tallinn airport. The project development and application was initiated by Hamburg airport, the lead partner of the partnership.

As the project aims, among other things, at revitalising regional air traffic, several smaller airports and regional airlines are also involved, along with relevant technology providers, universities and authorities. In Germany, Sylt airport, Sylt Air, Lübeck Air and Lübeck airport are project partners, as are the following associated organisations: Ministry of Economics, Transport, Labour Technology and Tourism of the State of Schleswig-Holstein (MWVATT); Hamburg Aviation; ZAL Zentrum für Angewandte Luftfahrtforschung; and Hamburg Authority for Economics and Innovation (BWI).

Hamburg airport chairman of the executive board Michael Eggenschwiler says: "These are exciting days for the future of aviation. We recently announced our cooperation with Rotterdam The Hague airport on a flight connection for hydrogen-based aircraft, and now we are getting the green light for the Baltic Sea Region Project. It is no coincidence that Hamburg airport is one of the drivers of innovation. As an airport, we have set ourselves the goal of reducing our CO2 emissions to zero by 2035 and completely foregoing compensation. So it is only logical that we also make a concrete commitment to an environmentally compatible future for aviation. As a hydrogen hub, we can contribute to this development very well."

Hamburg airport head of environment Jan Eike Hardegen adds: "Hydrogen offers great potential for climate-neutral flights on short haul routes. General aviation with smaller, future hydrogen-powered aircraft is particularly suitable here. Gaseous hydrogen is the propulsion of the future, especially for smaller general aviation aircraft, such as turboprops with 20-30 seats."

These aircraft can also be used to connect more rural regions of the Baltic Sea countries according to demand. Therefore, the primary goal of the initiated Baltic Sea Region Project is to power hydrogen-based air transport in the Baltic Sea region.

The project aims to clarify the prerequisites for an airport infrastructure that is geared towards H2-powered aircraft. At the end of the project, all airports should be prepared to invest and implement their infrastructure projects on their own. At the end of the project period, a real demonstration flight with a hydrogen-powered aircraft is planned from Hamburg Airport. With this project, Hamburg Airport wants to work out the possibilities of general aviation in H2 technology. In addition to this development aspect, a completely new network of flight connections is also to be opened up.

With its climate strategy entitled Net Zero 2035 - Now. For the Future, Hamburg Airport aims to reduce the airport city's greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2035, becoming the first major airport in Germany to do so. In addition, Hamburg Airport supports air traffic on its way to a CO2-free future. The goals of Net Zero 2035 include active support for research and development: the Baltic Sea Region Project is an example of how alternative propulsion options can further advance aviation in the field of climate-friendly flying.