Hydrogen-powered aircraft are expected to come into operation from the mid-2030s for short-haul flights and research for Manchester Airports Group (MAG) estimates demand for liquid hydrogen at an airport the size of Manchester could reach 6.5 million litres a day by 2050. 

Manchester airport has signed a memorandum of understanding with low carbon energy project Hynet and its founding partners Progressive Energy, which develops projects to decarbonise the energy sector, and Cadent, which will build and operate HyNet’s hydrogen pipeline network.

Through its pipeline project, Manchester is aiming to become the first UK airport with a direct hydrogen supply to fuel more than 60 airlines with the sustainable fuel source “at the earliest opportunity”.

MAG is aiming to make its own operations net-zero carbon by 2038 - two years ahead of the target set for UK airports in the government’s Jet Zero Strategy. 

Chris Woodroofe, managing director of Manchester airport, said the plans demonstrated “the meaningful action” the airport was taking towards a greener future for aviation.

“By securing a direct supply of hydrogen for our airport, our 60 airlines will be able to make use of this exciting and ground-breaking technology as soon as possible. The use of hydrogen will make a significant contribution to the UK aviation sector’s decarbonisation efforts and supports industry partners in reaching net-zero.”