Liquid hydrogen airliner could fly carbon zero across Atlantic

A LIQUID hydrogen-powered plane is being developed to run non-stop carbon zero transatlantic flights.

It is hoped the greener aircraft could fly from London to San Francisco on the US west coast without stopping, or from London to New Zealand with one refuel.

The plane will be designed to carry 279 passengers at the same speed and comfort as conventional airliners but with a fraction of the climate impact. Water is the only waste product.

Before the pandemic axed flights, the commercial aviation industry formed about 2.5 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions, more than Germany.

While CO2 emissions per passenger from existing aviation technology have declined in the past two decades, gains have been offset by the longer-term boom in air traffic volume. The hydrogen jet is developed through the £15million government-funded Flyzero project led by the Aerospace Technology Institute, in Cranfield, Beds.

“At a time of global focus on tackling climate change, our midsize concept sets out a truly revolutionary vision for the future of global air travel keeping families, businesses and nations connected without the carbon footprint,” the initiative’s director Chris Gear said.

“This new dawn for aviation brings with it real opportunities for the UK aerospace sector to secure market share, highly skilled jobs and inward investment, while helping to meet the UK’S commitments to fight climate change.”

Designs of the aircraft have been unveiled ahead of the fourth meeting of the Jet Zero Council, chaired by the Transport Secretary and featuring ministers and aviation leaders working together with the aim of reducing the sector’s carbon emissions. “As we build back greener, it’s crucial that we place sustainability at the heart of the aviation industry’s recovery from Covid-19,” Grant Shapps said.

“This pioneering design, led by a British organisation, brings us closer to a future where people can travel and connect, without the carbon footprint.

“I will continue to work closely with the Jet Zero Council to support the UK’S world-leading research in this sector, which will create green jobs, help us meet our net zero targets and lead the global transition to net zero aviation.”

Kwasi Kwarteng, the Business Secretary, added: “These designs could define the future of aerospace and aviation. By working with industry, we are showing that carbon-free flight could be possible, with hydrogen a front runner to replace conventional fossil fuels.

“Fuelling sustainably will enable the public to travel as we do now, in a way that doesn’t damage the planet. It will help end our contribution to climate change, and represents a huge industrial opportunity for the UK.”