Report: Airbus and Shell are the hydrogen leaders in aviation industry

In a new report by GlobalData’s thematic intelligence team, Airbus, Shell and GKN Aerospace have been named as three of the leading players in the hydrogen aircraft sector.  

 The companies were mentioned in a report that highlights the hydrogen propulsion sector as one of the key areas of the aviation industry. In the report, Airbus, Shell and GKN Aerospace  have been spotlighted for their leading or disrupting role in the sector, either in developing aircraft, power and propulsion, or fuel technology.  

GlobalData’s team mentioned the companies in an analysis of the hydrogen aircraft sector. According to the experts, the development of hydrogen-powered aircraft “faces major challenges in terms of technology as well as infrastructure: advancements need to be made to facilitate the use of hydrogen in commercial aircraft and to improve its viability in terms of long distances.” Also, significant investments have to be made in infrastructure to enable hydrogen to be produced and transported in sufficient quantities. 

According to Airport Technology, the report states: “This fuel will require more refuelling trucks than kerosene as it takes up more physical space. Once on site, the refuelling process will take place in a similar way to kerosene, but the infrastructure will need to be put in place to get it to airports in the first place or produce it on site.”