Airbus has entered into a partnership with Kansai Airports and Kawasaki Heavy Industries to develop hydrogen infrastructure at three major airports in Japan: Kansai International Airport, Osaka International Airport, and Kobe Airport. The collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marks a significant step in advancing Japan's aviation decarbonization efforts.
This initiative operates under Airbus's “Hydrogen Hub at Airports” program, which focuses on conducting feasibility studies for integrating hydrogen-powered aircraft into airport operations. The partnership will assess the technical, economic, and operational aspects of implementing hydrogen infrastructure, tailoring strategies to the specific needs of each airport. The study will also inform future demonstration projects and policy recommendations aimed at advancing hydrogen aviation in Japan.
Since 2022, Airbus has been collaborating with Kansai Airports, introducing hydrogen technology into airport operations with fuel cell buses and forklifts. Kawasaki Heavy Industries brings its expertise in cryogenic hydrogen supply networks and airport infrastructure, making it a critical technical partner in this venture.
Initial demand forecasts predict that the airports will require several tons of liquid hydrogen daily in the early stages, potentially increasing to hundreds of tons by 2050. Japan's mature hydrogen industry and supportive government policies make the Kansai region an ideal location for hydrogen aviation development.
This partnership is aligned with Airbus's ZEROe program, which aims to launch the world's first hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft by 2035. The “Hydrogen Hub at Airports” program has expanded globally, with partnerships in 14 countries, positioning hydrogen aviation as a transformative force in reducing the environmental impact of air transport. Through this collaboration, Japan is poised to become a leader in hydrogen-powered aviation.
