KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has partnered with AeroDelft, a student team at Delft University of Technology, to explore hydrogen-powered aviation.
This partnership is focused on supporting AeroDelft’s Project Phoenix, which is developing technologies that can reduce the environmental impact of the aviation industry.
AeroDelft’s aim is to design and build zero-emission aircraft that can fly using liquid hydrogen and fuel cell technology. The partnership will focus on AeroDelft’s hydrogen-powered aircraft project and work towards the transition to a more sustainable aviation industry.
Barry ter Voert, CXO & EVP Business Development at KLM, stated that KLM is seeking opportunities to accelerate developments in aviation innovation and that the partnership with AeroDelft would help think out of the box. Joseph Michaels, Chief of External Relations at AeroDelft, mentioned that the support and confidence of KLM bring AeroDelft one step closer to achieving sustainable aviation.
The partnership between AeroDelft and KLM signifies the first time that AeroDelft has partnered directly with an airline, promoting liquid hydrogen as an alternative to conventional fuels in aviation. KLM’s support for the AeroDelft team indicates that sustainability is a priority and innovative solutions must be explored to make air travel more environmentally friendly.
AeroDelft is a student team at Delft University of Technology composed of over 50 students from various disciplines, including aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering. The team is developing two aircraft, a prototype drone and a full-scaled manned aircraft, both under the project name Phoenix. The unmanned drone has already flown electrically and has planned hydrogen flights over the coming year. Meanwhile, the team aims to fly their manned aircraft in 2024 using gaseous hydrogen, and later with liquid hydrogen in 2025.
While hydrogen-powered aircraft have the potential to significantly reduce the environmental impact of the aviation industry, several challenges need to be addressed. One of the significant challenges is the infrastructure required to produce, store, and distribute liquid hydrogen, which is not yet widely available. Additionally, the cost of producing and using liquid hydrogen technology is still high compared to conventional fossil fuels, making it challenging for airlines to invest in and adopt.
In conclusion, the partnership between KLM and AeroDelft is an important step towards developing and promoting sustainable aviation. The project’s goal of designing and building zero-emission aircraft using liquid hydrogen and fuel cell technology is an innovative solution that could potentially reduce the environmental impact of the aviation industry. While several challenges need to be addressed, including the infrastructure and cost of producing and using liquid hydrogen technology, the partnership represents a significant step forward in achieving sustainable aviation.
