Hamburg Airport announced that it has become the first German and the 12th member of the international "Hydrogen Hub at Airport" network, which seeks to promote the further expansion of hydrogen infrastructure in aviation.

The network's membership already includes members from the airports, airlines and energy sectors in 11 countries, including France, the USA, the UK, Singapore, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand.

Hamburg said the aim of the international network is to research, develop and expand the infrastructure for the use of hydrogen.

"We welcome Hamburg Airport as the latest 'Hydrogen Hub at Airport' member. Hamburg Airport's expertise in Hydrogen will be an invaluable asset in our ZEROe Ecosystem journey to build a future where aviation will be powered by decarbonised hydrogen," said Karine Guénan, vice president of ZEROe Hydrogen Ecosystem.

Guénan added that the journey to prepare airport infrastructure to support hydrogen and low-carbon aviation begins on the ground with these partnerships.

"The growing involvement of airports worldwide, including Hamburg Airport, in Airbus' 'Hydrogen Hub at Airport'  concept will be key to deploying hydrogen-powered aircraft by 2035."

The use of hydrogen to power future aircraft should not only significantly reduce emissions in the air but also contribute to the decarbonisation of aviation infrastructure on the ground.

In 2020, Airbus launched the Hydrogen Hub at Airports programme to drive research into infrastructure requirements and low-carbon airport operations across the value chain.

"We are thrilled that Hamburg Airport is working together on equal terms with such international hubs as Paris - Charles de Gaulle and Changi Airport in Singapore as we make these decisive preparations for an energy transition in air travel," said Michael Eggenschwiler, CEO of Hamburg Airport, at the signing of the cooperation agreement.

"I am very proud of that fact and also of the pioneering work of our staff, who have been pouring their hearts into laying the foundations for this work over many years," he added.

Airbus presented its ZEROe concept aircraft in 2020, and the development of the corresponding technology building blocks is now being driven forward in a global R&T network focussing on the development of hydrogen technology for future commercial aircraft.