Airbus, Air Liquide Korea, Korean Air and Incheon International Airport Corporation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the use of hydrogen in the decarbonisation of the aviation sector in South Korea.
The collaboration will also study the development of South Korean domestic airport infrastructure to support the deployment of hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft. This partnership reflects a shared ambition to drive the emergence of an aviation sector dedicated to supporting the South Korean government’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.
Anand Stanley, Airbus president Asia-Pacific, elaborated in a press release: “Under the MoU, Airbus will provide characteristics of hydrogen-powered aircraft ground operations, as well as aircraft characteristics and fleet energy usage. Together, we will prepare a roadmap to first develop hydrogen usages at and around Incheon Airport and then build scenarios to support the deployment of hydrogen ecosystems connected to other (South) Korean airports.”
The partnership will also focus on carrying out studies aimed at defining and developing the required liquid infrastructure at Incheon Airport to prepare for the arrival of the first hydrogen-powered aircraft.
Each partner will leverage their expertise to define the potential opportunities that hydrogen offers. Air Liquide will bring its expertise in mastering the entire hydrogen value chain (production, liquefaction, storage and distribution), in particular, liquid hydrogen supply, while Korean Air will provide expertise on ground aircraft operations and aviation management and operations.
Lastly, Incheon International Airport Corporation will provide an airport development plan outlook, along with air traffic characteristics and distribution among terminals.
