Exeter Airport hosts UK’s first hydrogen-powered aircraft turnaround using green fuel and ground equipment

Credit: Exeter Airport

Exeter Airport (EXT) has hosted the UK’s first hydrogen-powered live aircraft turnaround, marking a significant milestone in decarbonising airport ground operations. The trial, involving Exeter Airport, TUI, Cranfield University, ULEMCo, MULAG, Boeing, and the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s Hydrogen Challenge, used green hydrogen-powered ground equipment to service a TUI Boeing 737.

Details on the hydrogen-powered aircraft trial 

The demonstration featured a hydrogen-powered baggage tug, pushback tug, and ground power unit (GPU), all refuelled using a HyQube 350 refueller from Fuel Cell Systems Ltd with green hydrogen supplied by Protium. This is believed to be the first global instance of multiple hydrogen-powered units being used simultaneously for an operational commercial aircraft turnaround.

Cranfield University led a study on the environmental impact of ground handling at Exeter Airport, revealing annual diesel use exceeding 78,000 litres and nearly 200 tonnes of CO2e emissions—39% from GPUs alone. The trial showcased practical alternatives: a hydrogen fuel cell baggage tractor, a hydrogen internal combustion tug, and a dual-fuel GPU.

Supported by the Regulators’ Pioneer Fund through the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the Hydrogen Challenge aims to enable early adoption of low- and zero-emission aviation technologies, supporting the Government’s Jet Zero ambitions.

Science Minister George Freeman said the programme will “give confidence to investors, researchers and consumers alike,” while Exeter Airport MD Stephen Wiltshire noted, “The demonstration shows how hydrogen can be integrated into day-to-day airport operations.”

TUI’s Brendan Kelly called it “a promising step toward real-world solutions,” and Professor Anna Smallwood of Cranfield said the trial would “inform future standards and innovation.”

ULEMCo MD Amanda Lyne highlighted hydrogen’s versatility and infrastructure potential, and Boeing’s Steven Gillard emphasised the importance of cross-industry collaboration, stating: “Projects like this are critical to laying the foundations for safe and scalable sustainable operations at airports.”

Giancarlo Buono of the Civil Aviation Authority concluded: “This demonstration brings the UK a step closer to realising hydrogen as a safe and viable energy source for aviation.”

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