Airbus Teams with Kansai Airports and Kawasaki to Drive Hydrogen Innovation at Japanese Airports

Airbus, Kansai Airports, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the potential for establishing hydrogen infrastructure at three key airports in the Kansai region—Kansai International Airport, Osaka International Airport, and Kobe Airport.

The evaluation will cover various aspects, including technology, economic viability, legal compliance, and operational challenges. Potential demonstration projects will help clarify the approach to these challenges and guide the development of policy recommendations.

Since 2022, Airbus has been working with Kansai Airports to explore the integration of hydrogen in airport infrastructure. Kansai Airports has demonstrated its capabilities through the successful operation of hydrogen-powered buses and forklifts. The distinct geographical and operational features of the three airports provide a diverse environment for testing hydrogen supply methods.

Airbus has also partnered with Kawasaki Heavy Industries, a leader in hydrogen solutions, to design cryogenic hydrogen supply networks. Kawasaki’s experience in airport infrastructure development, including baggage handling systems, complements its expertise in hydrogen technology.

These initial studies have provided a solid foundation for the second phase of the project, which will include more in-depth analysis of the hydrogen supply chain and airport operations. Airbus has projected a growing demand for liquid hydrogen, estimating that initial aircraft operations will require several tons of hydrogen per day, potentially scaling up to hundreds of tons per day by 2050.

Airbus and its partners foresee significant opportunities for hydrogen aviation in the Kansai region, supported by a robust hydrogen industry and favorable policy frameworks. This collaboration marks a critical step towards establishing hydrogen as a sustainable energy source in aviation.