Exeter Airport Trials Emissions-Free Aircraft Turnarounds with Clean Tech Equipment

Image Credit: Exeter AirportExeter Airport

In a groundbreaking trial, Exeter Airport has replaced its traditional diesel-powered ground vehicles with hydrogen alternatives while preparing a commercial aircraft for its next flight.

Known as an aircraft turnaround, this complex operation, which includes unloading baggage, refuelling, conducting safety checks, and supplying power, is typically completed within 30 to 60 minutes.

A TUI Boeing 737 was the focus of this innovative test, receiving full servicing from a fleet of hydrogen-powered equipment: a baggage tug, pushback tug, and ground power unit. All units were powered by hydrogen derived from renewable sources and delivered directly to the site by Fuel Cell Systems via a mobile refuelling unit. The trial marked the first use of multiple hydrogen technologies, including a fuel cell system, an internal combustion engine, and a dual-fuel hydrogen-diesel setup.

A study by Cranfield University revealed that Exeter Airport's ground operations consume a staggering 78,000 litres of diesel annually, resulting in nearly 200 tonnes of carbon emissions. Notably, ground power units—the machinery that provides electricity to aircraft at the gate—were responsible for the most significant portion of this carbon footprint.

The data gathered from this pioneering trial will be crucial in shaping future safety standards for the use of hydrogen in airport ground operations.

Exeter Airport’s managing director, Stephen Wiltshire, said: “We’re proud to have hosted this important trial, which reflects our commitment to sustainability and innovation.

“The demonstration shows how hydrogen can be integrated into day-to-day airport operations, with lessons we can share across our airport group and the wider sector.

“Regional airports are most likely to be those handling the first generation of smaller hydrogen aircraft, so it makes sense that they should be the focus of any test-bed activities.”

Furthermore, it will inform long-term strategies to slash emissions within the aviation industry. This demonstration was part of the Civil Aviation Authority's Hydrogen Challenge programme, a collaborative effort involving TUI, Cranfield University, Boeing, ULEMCo, and MULAG — a testament to the growing alliance focused on hydrogen in aviation.

This trial follows a call to action by a coalition of major players in the aviation sector, including easyJet, Airbus, Rolls-Royce, and Bristol Airport. The group is urging the UK Government to fast-track the development of a strategy for integrating hydrogen-powered passenger aircraft into commercial operations. Airbus, in particular, has set its sights on flying 100-seat hydrogen-powered planes by 2035. However, not all carriers are on board: Wizz Air has since dropped hydrogen from its long-term sustainability strategy.