easyJet has announced it is working with GKN Aerospace, a leading multi-technology Tier 1 aerospace supplier, to work toward reducing carbon emissions in aviation through the adoption of zero carbon emission technologies.
easyJet will support the development of GKN Aerospace’s Hydrogen Combustion (H2JET) and Hydrogen Fuel Cell (H2GEAR) technology, including exploring the options for flight demonstration, as part of the airline’s ambition to de-carbonise aviation. easyJet will provide insights into operational requirements and economics.
H2GEAR is a GKN Aerospace-led ground-breaking UK collaboration programme aiming to develop a liquid hydrogen propulsion system for sub-regional aircraft that could be scaled up to larger aircraft. Liquid hydrogen is converted to electricity within a fuel cell system, which subsequently and efficiently powers the aircraft, eliminating carbon emissions and creating a new generation of clean air travel.
The H2GEAR programme is supported by £27 million of ATI funding, matched by GKN Aerospace and its industrial partners.
H2JET is a Swedish collaborative two-year programme led by GKN Aerospace to push the development of key subsystems for gas turbine-based hydrogen propulsion of medium-range civil aircraft.
