ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ has been instrumental in the first-ever hydrogen-powered turnaround of a commercial aircraft, a trial which is an important step toward the decarbonisation of airport ground operations.

Working with a consortium of partners, the trial demonstration saw a TUI Boeing 737 aircraft landing at Exeter Airport on April 29, 2025, before being prepared to take off again using multiple pieces of hydrogen-powered equipment.

The live demonstration involved a hydrogen-powered baggage tug, pushback tug and ground power unit. It is the first time in the UK - and possibly the world - that multiple pieces of hydrogen-powered equipment have been used simultaneously for a commercial air transport operational aircraft, and using ‘green’ hydrogen from renewable energy sources.

The demonstration was delivered by a partnership of Exeter Airport, TUI, ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥, ULEMCo, MULAG and Boeing and was part of the project, which supports regulators, academia and industry to address the regulatory, safety and operational challenges of introducing hydrogen into aviation.

“This project is an important milestone in understanding how hydrogen can be safely and effectively deployed at airports,” explained Professor Anna Smallwood, Head of the Centre for Air Traffic Management at Cranfield University. “Cranfield is proud to play a key role within this collaboration, providing expertise in emissions analysis, systems integration, refuelling technologies, risk management and operational analysis. The insights here will directly inform future standards, procedures and innovation as we work toward net zero aviation.”

Dr Thomas Budd, Associate Professor of Airport Decarbonisation at Cranfield University, said: “Being able to demonstrate these technologies as part of a live aircraft turnaround not only demonstrates the viability of hydrogen as a fuel for decarbonising ground operations in the short-term, butwill also help develop the regulatory framework to support hydrogen aircraft in the years to come t.”

He continued: “From an airport’s point of view, decarbonising aviation isn’t just about the aircraft themselves. There are a variety of other vehicles used in ground operations and it’s only by addressing the picture holistically that we can head towards the goal of net zero.”

Stephen Wiltshire, Managing Director of Exeter Airport which is owned and operated by Regional and City Airports, said: “We’re proud to have hosted this important trial, which reflects our commitment to sustainability and innovation. Today’s demonstration shows how hydrogen can be integrated into day-to-day airport operations, with lessons we can share across our airport group and the wider sector. Regional airports are most likely to be those handling the first generation of smaller hydrogen aircraft, so it makes sense that they should be the focus of any test-bed activities.”

Giancarlo Buono, Group Director of Safety & Airspace Regulation Group at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: “This demonstration brings the UK a step closer to realising hydrogen as a safe and viable energy source for aviation. It showcases the potential of decarbonising ground operations today, while helping shape the regulatory frameworks needed for tomorrow. Our Hydrogen Challenge is about enabling innovation, and we’re proud to have supported this unique collaboration.”

Amanda Lyne, Managing Director of ULEMCo, said: “The number of hydrogen technologies on show here demonstrates the versatility of this clean fuel in a range of applications. In addition to providing the academic data requested by government, this project shows practical, cost-effective solutions to decarbonisation. As real-world examples of hydrogen fuel usage increase, the case for investment in UK wide refuelling infrastructure grows ever stronger.”

The demonstration builds on a previous study of turnaround emissions at Exeter Airport. The CAA’s Hydrogen Challenge is part of the UK Government's Regulator’s Pioneer Fund, delivered by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.