The global aviation industry could use 15 per cent to 20 per cent of the world’s projected hydrogen supply of 600 million tonnes by 2050 for the production of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) and to power new aircraft, according to the International Air Transport Association (Iata).
The industry is projected to use about 100 mega tonnes of hydrogen for the production of SAF and 20 mega tonnes for hydrogen-powered aircraft, if they enter into service by 2035, as airlines pursue their goal of net zero emissions by the middle of the century, Hemant Mistry, Iata’s director of energy transition, said in Geneva.
«The scale-up of hydrogen to address aviation requirements will be necessary, but when we consider the use of hydrogen for aircraft propulsion only, it is only 3 per cent of the forecast global supply by 2050,» Mr Mistry said.
«Aviation must be considered in different country plans for hydrogen and renewables scale-up.»
Hydrogen is one of several competing technologies that could help the aviation industry achieve its goal of becoming net zero by 2050…
