UK’s First Hydrogen-Powered Live Aircraft Turnaround Takes Place at RCA’s Exeter Airport

RCA (Regional & City Airports), the airports division of Rigby Group, is proud to announce a pioneering trial that demonstrates how hydrogen technology can play a key role in decarbonising airport ground operations.

The live demonstration took place at Exeter Airport, one of RCA’s four regional airports, and marks a significant milestone on the journey toward the UK’s first ‘zero-carbon turnaround’ of a commercial aircraft.

In a first of its kind for the UK, the trial, delivered by a partnership of Exeter Airport, TUI, Cranfield University, ULEMCo, MULAG and Boeing and supported by the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s Hydrogen Challenge programme, saw a TUI Boeing 737 passenger aircraft undergo a turnaround using ground support equipment powered by green hydrogen.

The live demonstration involved a hydrogen-powered baggage tug, pushback tug and ground power unit. It is the first time in the UK - and possibly the world - that multiple pieces of hydrogen-powered equipment have been used simultaneously for a commercial air transport operational aircraft, and using ‘green’ hydrogen from renewable energy sources.

Science Minister Lord Vallance said: “Fresh thinking and new regulatory approaches will give confidence to investors, researchers and consumers alike. We want to encourage businesses to choose the UK as the best destination to develop their new ideas and bring great technologies to market. 

“Our funding for these 15 pioneering projects will give UK regulators and local authorities the support they need to accelerate innovation and turn it into success in every corner of the country."

Stephen Wiltshire, Managing Director of Exeter Airport, 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.”

The Hydrogen Challenge initiative supports the Government’s Jet Zero ambitions by enabling safe, early adoption of low- and zero-emission aviation technology and infrastructure. The programme brings together regulators, academia and industry to address the regulatory, safety and operational challenges of introducing hydrogen into aviation.