
Spain could get its first aviation hydrogen hub thanks to Airbus and its partners
July 12, 2024Airbus has joined forces with five other companies to study H2 aviation in the country.
Airbus, the European multinational aerospace giant, has teamed up with Aena, Iberia, Air Nostrum, Repsol, and Exolum to study the creation of Spain’s first aviation hydrogen hub. Specifically, the six companies have teamed up to address the main challenges Spain faces to make hydrogen-powered aviation a reality in the nation.
Uniting the entire value chain.
What makes this particular aviation hydrogen hub collaboration unique is that it marks the first time the entire hydrogen value chain is being brought together at the same time. This includes primary energy production, hydrogen ground operations, two airlines, and a complete network of airports.
The purpose of the partnership is to provide the collaborators with a holistic view of, not only an aircraft powered by hydrogen fuel, but how such an aircraft can be feasibly included in the airport ecosystem. This includes focuses on hydrogen infrastructure, hydrogen supply, and specific requirements for ground operations at airports. The ultimate goal of the collaboration is to facilitate and support the development of Spain’s aviation ecosystem.
Why Spain was selected for the aviation hydrogen hub.
According to Airbus’ Vice President ZEROe Ecosystem, Karine Guenan, Spain has excellent potential in renewables as well as low-carbon hydrogen production.

Concept image of Airbus ZEROe aircraft in flight – Image Source – Airbus
Guenan went on to say that it is vital for the entire aviation industry to come together “to secure a future end-to-end hydrogen supply chain up to the airports.”
The decarbonization of aviation is one of Airbus’ most important goals, making this aviation hydrogen hub study partnership extremely significant to the company. Airbus believes that deploying commercial aircraft powered by hydrogen with its ecosystem is one of those “key levers”.
Accelerating the progression of hydrogen technology.
Back in January, Airbus opened a new research center in Germany dedicated to developing composite hydrogen-system technologies for storing and distributing cryogenic liquid hydrogen. Called the ZEROe Development Center, the focus of the research center is to develop lightweight hydrogen systems in composites at competitive cost.
In addition to its research and testing of hydrogen energy systems for aircraft, the company has a “Hydrogen Hub at Airports” program, which promotes the further expansion of hydrogen infrastructure to aviation, to bring together key ecosystem players to better understand how to develop and use hydrogen technologies to decarbonize all airport-associated infrastructure. To date, Airbus has agreements signed with partners and airports in 13 countries, including the United States.