ZeroAvia, Hamburg Airport and Rotterdam The Hague Airport advance plans towards international cross-border flight in 2026

Farnborough Air Show, 25 July 2024 – ZeroAvia, Hamburg Airport and Rotterdam The Hague Airport have announced plans to establish new flight route using hydrogen-powered aircraft. The agreement builds on the Hydrogen Flight Corridor initiative announced in 2023 between Hamburg Airport and Rotterdam The Hague Airport, with ZeroAvia agreeing to provide hydrogen aircraft and refuelling technology.

In joining the consortium, ZeroAvia adds crucial components to the existing cooperation between Hamburg Airport, Rotterdam The Hague Airport, Rotterdam The Hague Innovation Airport and industry network Hamburg Aviation signed at the Paris Air Show in 2023. The shared knowledge and commitment in the Hydrogen Flight Corridor initiative advances preparations in the hydrogen for aviation, a key component of the industry’s decarbonisation efforts.

At a recent site visit, representatives from both airports toured ZeroAvia’s UK site to engage in detailed discussions and begin fine-tuning preparations for the planned demonstration flights. During the visit, ZeroAvia’s hydrogen-powered aircraft, a Cessna Grand Caravan, took centre stage. The Hamburg and Rotterdam project teams also explored ZeroAvia’s innovative mobile refuelling system, which allows hydrogen dispensing directly at the aircraft parking stand.

The Hydrogen Flight Corridor initiative builds on a strong commitment at both airports to develop hydrogen technology. Hamburg Airport actively participates in a recently launched initiative to prepare deployment of hydrogen at airports across the Baltic region, and is part of the Airbus “Hydrogen Hub at Airport” network. Rotterdam The Hague Airport is implementing a liquid-hydrogen storage facility and takes part in multiple European hydrogen-related projects.

Work between the associated organizations is ongoing including infrastructural and safety assessments to allow the refuelling and (ground) operation of hydrogen-powered aircraft at both airports. Other work involves collaborating with the local civil aviation authorities in order to facilitate the hydrogen demonstration flight in the Dutch and German airspace. Both airports have identified the suitable parking stands at the airport to handle the flight and knowledge in the field of hydrogen (at airports) is actively shared between the two airports.