SEA, the company that manages Milano Linate and Milano Malpensa airports, and Airbus, global leader in the aeronautical and aerospace industry, today signed a “Memorandum of Understanding” for the study and implementation of projects for the distribution of hydrogen at Milan’s airports.
Airbus is expected to produce the first hydrogen-powered aircraft around 2035.
This implies that airports should work on their “readiness” and be prepared with facilities for the supply of hydrogen to the new aircraft.
Milan’s airports have taken up the challenge and will lead the way in Europe, as they prepare to welcome the new generation of aircraft.
The two companies intend to combine their expertise to support the decarbonisation of aviation and define the practical needs and opportunities that hydrogen will bring to the aviation industry.
The agreement will focus on a series of feasibility studies aimed at developing a hydrogen refuelling hub for non-aviation use in the short term, as well as developing infrastructure for hydrogen use in aviation in the long term.
Airports will need to become hydrogen distributors and thus a reference point for the surrounding region, a challenge that Milano Malpensa has already taken up, confirming its role as an important driver for the whole region.
“With this agreement SEA has taken a concrete step forward in enabling important solutions for the decarbonisation of airports and the entire industry,” said Armando Brunini, CEO of SEA.
“We are going through an important transition and have chosen to be at the forefront of it, together with our partners.
“Innovation is in the DNA of aviation and, also thanks to Airbus, is moving towards a transformation that was unimaginable up to just a few years ago.
“We are proud to be part of it”.
