Airbus, Korean and partners to explore hydrogen fuel at Seoul Incheon

Airbus, Air Liquide, Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC), and Korean Air have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore the use of hydrogen aviation fuel at Seoul Incheon. The companies will also study the infrastructure necessary in South Korea for the future deployment of hydrogen-powered airliners, they say. Under the arrangement, Korean Air will focus on operational aspects such as ground handling, maintenance, and fight operations. IIAC will focus on airport facilities, while Airbus and Air Liquide will explore demand for hydrogen-powered aircraft, as well as create a roadmap for the introduction of hydrogen fuel. “This MOU will be a starting point for the Korean domestic aviation industry to systemize a hydrogen supply chain system and infrastructure development, where the introduction of hydrogen as an alternative fuel has been slow in relative comparison to other industries,” says Soo Keun Lee, Korean Air’s chief safety & operations officer. Airbus notes that the four partners will focus on their areas of expertise to help define the potential opportunities of hydrogen. Air Liquide says it already has a pair of hydrogen stations at Seoul Incheon that provide fuel for buses, cars and demonstration trucks that use hydrogen fuel cells.<br/>