Bristol Airport and Ultima Forma have announced the successful development of a pioneering liquid hydrogen (LH₂) refuelling project, designed to support emerging zero carbon emissions aircraft.
The innovative project, funded through Bristol Airport’s ACT (Aviation Carbon Transition) Programme, represents a significant step towards decarbonising regional air travel.
The project delivers a first-of-its-kind technical report showing how a LH₂ refuelling system tailored to meet the demands of Bristol Airport’s operations could be built and operated. 
LH₂ aircraft, which are being developed by ZeroAvia and Airbus, will allow zero carbon emissions flight. A major challenge for these new aircraft is the need for hydrogen fuel storage and refuelling facilities at airports.
Ultima Forma’s report examines deliveries of liquid hydrogen to the airport and its storage. Liquid hydrogen needs to be stored at -253°C. Technology to do this is well-established but it has yet to be used at scale at an airport. Published alongside Ultima Forma’s report is an animation summarising the findings.
Andy Bushby, Chief Technology Officer at Ultima Forma, said: “Developing engineering solutions for the carbon transition is at the heart of Ultima Forma’s technology. Working with Bristol Airport has been exciting in exploring how decarbonised aviation could be brought to life.”
Hannah Pollard, Head of Sustainability for Bristol Airport, said: “Our region is at the forefront of global efforts to develop zero emissions, hydrogen-powered flight. The first regional hydrogen flights are expected in the coming years, and Bristol Airport wants to be an early adopter of this exciting new technology. Ultima Forma’s groundbreaking study is a huge step towards us hosting the storage and refuelling facilities that we’ll need in the future.”
The ACT Programme has run since 2022 and is an annual fund to kick-start innovative projects to decarbonise emissions from flights and transport at Bristol Airport. The 2026 ACT Programme will open in the spring – organisations and companies can apply for grants for projects that could help the aviation industry transition to zero carbon flight.
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