Airbus-led consortium launches hydrogen project for airports
An Airbus-led consortium has received €10.8m from the EU’s Horizon Europe Framework Programme to advance the safe handling of hydrogen for airport operations. The four-year GOLIAT project aims to demonstrate scalable hydrogen solutions for the aviation industry.
Image by Airbus
Airport Technology reports that the GOLIAT (Ground Operations of Liquid hydrogen Aircraft) project, spearheaded by Airbus, has secured €10.8m ($11.7m) from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Framework Programme. The initiative brings together academia and industry partners to develop and showcase safe ground handling and refueling practices for liquid hydrogen (LH2) in airport operations over the next four years.
Decarbonizing transport
Hydrogen has been identified as a key element in the EU's strategy for decarbonizing transport. The consortium will initially focus on small planes, with the ultimate goal of proving the scalability of their solutions for mass usage.
The consortium consists of ten partners from eight countries, including prominent names like Chart Industries, TU Delft, and various airports such as Rotterdam The Hague and Stuttgart. This diverse collaboration underscores the widespread commitment to advancing hydrogen technology in aviation.
Fuel for the future of aviation
Karine Guenan, vice president of ZEROe Ecosystem at Airbus and project leader, highlighted the importance of hydrogen for short-haul aviation, stating, "We continue to believe that hydrogen will be an important fuel for the future of short-haul aviation."
Wilma van Dijk, CEO of Rotterdam The Hague Airport, emphasized the crucial role of regional airports in hydrogen aviation initiatives. She noted, "As a regional airport, we’re at the forefront of hydrogen aviation initiatives, with multiple projects underway in collaboration with various partners in our region."
