Study Finds Hydrogen Could Cut Aviation Emissions and Boost Growth

Hydrogen-powered aircraft could play a key role in cutting aviation emissions while supporting future growth, according to a new study published by Rolls-Royce, easyJet, Heathrow and University College London’s Air Transportation Systems Lab (UCL ATSLab).

 

The report, Enabling Hydrogen in the European Aviation Market, finds that hydrogen offers a rare opportunity to deliver deep emissions reductions alongside market expansion, particularly when deployed alongside Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The study suggests progress towards net zero could accelerate if hydrogen were included in the EU’s SAF mandate and supported by targeted policy incentives.

One of the report’s key conclusions is that concentrating hydrogen infrastructure at around 20 major European airports—including Heathrow—could deliver more than 80% of the total emissions benefits of a fully hydrogen-enabled network. Focusing early investment on a limited number of “hydrogen hubs” would provide a more practical and cost-effective path to adoption.

Modelling also shows that earlier introduction of hydrogen technology would significantly increase potential CO₂ savings, highlighting the importance of acting early where solutions are technically and financially viable.

The research is based on UCL ATSLab’s Airline Behaviour Model, which simulates real airline decision-making by accounting for fuel costs, incentives and operational constraints. This approach offers a realistic picture of how airlines might adopt hydrogen aircraft over time, including both opportunities and challenges.

“By continuing the development of hydrogen propulsion and strategic infrastructure investment, we stand to achieve net zero faster while protecting aviation’s economic benefits,” said Prof. Hervé Morvan, Chief of Future Platforms at Rolls-Royce.

“Hydrogen can help accelerate decarbonisation while supporting growth,” added Lahiru Ranasinghe, Director of Sustainability at easyJet.

“A small number of major airports could deliver most of the carbon benefits,” said Matt Gorman, Director of Carbon Strategy at Heathrow.

“Hydrogen and SAF together can deliver both growth and decarbonisation,” said Dr Khan Doyme, Senior Research Fellow at UCL ATSLab.

The study was sponsored by the Aerospace Technology Institute, the UK Department for Business and Trade, and Innovate UK.