Definition of Minimum Design Requirements for Hydrogen Aircraft from an Air Transportation Network Perspective

In comparison to other sectors, the global aviation industry faces a pronounced challenge to mitigate its contribution to anthropogenic climate change. A recently highlighted avenue is the development of aircraft powered by green hydrogen. Although promising concepts for such aircraft exist, persistent technological and economic hurdles remain. This study aims to address the technological barriers from a new angle by examining performance requirements for a first-generation hydrogen aircraft from an air transportation network perspective. It employs network modeling and linear optimization methods to determine minimum Top-Level Aircraft Requirements (TLAR) to meet specific carbon emissions reduction targets. It shows that passenger capacity and design range are the most important TLAR variables and that a 140-seat, 2,000-km range hydrogen aircraft would be able to reduce up to 56 % of CO2 emissions caused by intra-European passenger flights by 2050. Combined with flights within the US & Canada, the reduction potential can reach up to 12-18 % of global carbon emissions from aviation, depending on the TLAR configuration. This emissions reduction potential is additional to the introduction of new zero-emission battery-electric regional aircraft below 100 seats. The study also examines minimum requirements for a second, long-haul hydrogen aircraft before discussing limitations and pathways for future research.