Air Liquide, Airbus, Korean Air, and the Incheon International Airport Corporation signed a Memorandum of Understanding to investigate the usage of hydrogen at the airport.
Additionally, the collaboration will examine the creation of a Korean airport infrastructure capable of supporting the deployment of hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft on a worldwide scale. This collaboration reflects a shared purpose of catalyzing the formation of an innovative aviation sector committed to assisting the Korean government in meeting its 2050 carbon neutrality goal.
The four partners will design a roadmap for hydrogen usage at and around Incheon Airport and then build scenarios to assist the implementation of hydrogen ecosystems connected to additional Korean airports under the terms of the MoU. As a second phase, the alliance will conduct studies to define and create the liquid infrastructure necessary for the arrival of the first hydrogen-powered aircraft at Incheon Airport.
Each partner will harness their respective skills to help outline the potential benefits of hydrogen and contribute to the aviation industry’s decarbonization. Air Liquide will provide its significant expertise in managing the full hydrogen value chain (production, liquefaction, storage, and distribution), particularly in the area of liquid hydrogen supply. Airbus will give knowledge in ground operations for hydrogen-powered aircraft, as well as aircraft characteristics and fleet energy consumption, while Korean Air will contribute expertise in ground aircraft operations, as well as aviation management and operations. Finally, Incheon International Airport Corporation will present an airport expansion plan outlook, as well as information about air traffic characteristics and terminal distribution, beginning with Incheon International Airport, one of the world’s largest and busiest airports.
Air Liquide, a pioneer and market leader in hydrogen solutions, will leverage its strong local presence to speed hydrogen solution adoption in South Korea. At Incheon Airport, the Group has already invested in two high-capacity hydrogen stations that will open in August 2021 and will serve hydrogen fuel cell buses, vehicles, and demonstration trucks. The Group also supplies hydrogen molecules to the stations on a long-term basis.
Francois Abrial, member of the Air Liquide Group’s Executive Committee supervising Asia-Pacific, said: “Momentum is building around hydrogen, notably with initiatives to accelerate the development of a more sustainable aviation. South Korea is one of the most active countries in the world for hydrogen activities and we are pleased to participate with our partners in the development of the country’s hydrogen economy. By starting to introduce hydrogen now through mobility projects, and with the ambition of developing liquid hydrogen infrastructures for airports in the future, we are contributing to building a more sustainable future.”
