World’s first hydrogen power passenger flights could take off in Orkney
The world’s first passenger flights using hydrogenpowered aircraft could be launched between Orkney’s islands in less than three years if trials are successful.
Anine-passengeraircraftsimilartotheonesusedbyloganair in Orkney for the islands’ councilisbeingfittedwithascottishdesigned hydrogen tank for the test flights.
Theyareplannedforseptembernextyearatcranfieldaerospace Solutions (CAS), which is leading the project, in Bedfordshire.
Only a test pilot and flight engineer will be on board, but thedemonstrationcouldbefollowedbycommercialflightsinitially carrying up to seven people from late 2023.
CAS chief executive Paul Hutton said: “This project can deliver the world’s first truly ‘green’ passenger-carrying airline services. This has every likelihoodofbeingthefirstpassenger-carrying green aircraft service in operation.”
The venture has been named Project Fresson after Scottish aviation pioneer Ted Fresson,wholaunchedthefirst passenger flights to Orkney in 1933.
Another group, Zeroavia, flew a six-seater aircraft from Cranfieldlastseptember,which it described as the “world-first hydrogen fuel cell-powered flight of a commercial-grade aircraft”.
The Project Fresson consortium said other Britten-norman Islander aircraft like the one in the trial could be converted to run on hydrogen.
Loganair flies two in Orkney between Kirkwall and North Ronaldsay, Papa Westray, Westray, Sanday, Stronsay and Eday.
Otheroperatorsoftheaircraft include Airtask, which runs flights within Shetland for the islands’ council, and Hebridean Air Services in the Western Isles,
Hydrogen could even be produced at island airports using wind or tidal energy generated nearby.
CAS said hydrogen was both zero emission and more cost effective than traditional aviation fuel, potentially saving up to £300,000 per aircraft annually.
Flights are also likely to be much quieter for passengers because the aircraft’s piston engine will be removed.
Mr Hutton said the project had originally planned to use electric battery power, but it foundhydrogenwouldprovide longer range and be more cost effective.
He said: "With the hydrogen fuelcelloption,notonlyareyou completely green, but because ofthecostsavingsyouaremakingfromthereducedcostofthe amount of hydrogen you are using compared to the amount of Avgas (aviation gasoline), there are significant commercial benefits."
Companies involved in the project include Ayrshirebased Innovatus Technologies, which fit its ultra lightweight “Scottish hydrogen fuel tank” to the aircraft.
Business development director Stuart Mcintyre said: “It allowsustoestablishapre-eminent Scottish lead in the manufactureanddesignofinnovative hydrogen tanks to enable this green propulsion revolution.
"Wearetakinganaircraftthat is already in commercial service, with very important roles for the communities it serves, and making it able to fly those services on a fully green basis.”