UK Government-funded liquid hydrogen plane project revealed.

Today, Monday 6th November, the Aerospace Technology Institute has revealed a cutting-edge, liquid hydrogen concept plane within their FlyZero project. The project has received Government backing with £15 million to develop the technology required to bring the concept to reality.

This ambitious liquid hydrogen concept plane could result in a future of zero-carbon emission flights to anywhere in the world. With travel at the same speeds and comforts of today’s commercial airlines, the liquid hydrogen-fuelled concept could travel halfway around the work with just one stop to refuel.

That means you could get from England to New Zealand with just a single stop or a single non-stop flight from London to San Fransisco with revolutionary green technology.

The announcement came ahead of the fourth Jet Zero Council meeting today, in which officials and industry leaders discussed progress to zero carbon emission flights.

FlyZero, led by the Aerospace Technology Institute, aims to bring zero-carbon flights to commercial aviation by 2030. Their latest project has been the development of a liquid hydrogen-powered plane capable of holding 279 passengers.

Liquid hydrogen has the spotlight with the potential to revolutionise aviation fuels for a net-zero future. The UK is driving green innovation for all industries and this latest concept builds on the progress and achievements from the Jet Zero Council to form partnerships between Government and industry for zero-emission flights.

Aviation has been a key focus within the UK’s Ten Point Plan for a Green Revolution. Earlier this year, a separate £15 million fund was launched for Green Fuels, Green Skies competition in support of the early development of turning everyday waste into jet fuel. The eight companies that won have secured a final share of the funding for sustainable aviation fuels with this competition.

At today’s Jet Zero Council meeting, Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps said:

“This pioneering design for a liquid hydrogen-powered aircraft, led by a British organisation, brings us one step closer to a future where people can continue to travel and connect but without the carbon footprint.”

FlyZero Project Director, Chris Gear said:

“At a time of global focus on tackling climate change, our midsize concept sets out a truly revolutionary vision for the future of global air travel keeping families, businesses and nations connected without the carbon footprint.

This new dawn for aviation brings with it real opportunities for the UK aerospace sector to secure market share, highly skilled jobs and inward investment while helping to meet the UK’s commitments to fight climate change.”