ZeroAvia to lead UK project testing mobile hydrogen refuelling for airports

ZeroAvia, the UK-US aerospace technology company developing hydrogen-electric propulsion systems for aircraft, is to lead a £3.4m UK project investigating how airports could handle and refuel liquid hydrogen-powered aircraft.

The HyPRIME (Hydrogen Propulsion Refuelling Infrastructure Mobile Ecosystem) project has received £2.12m from the Department for Transport's Zero Emission Flight Demonstrator programme, with the remainder funded by project partners. ZeroAvia is working with ULEMCo, Geopura, Bristol Airport and Birmingham Airport on the programme.

The project will develop and demonstrate a mobile hydrogen refuelling vehicle capable of supporting liquid hydrogen aircraft, alongside hydrogen-powered ground support equipment and airport power applications.

Trials will take place in live airport environments, with the project examining the operational procedures, costs and potential economic benefits of introducing and scaling liquid hydrogen at commercial airports.

A key objective will be testing whether liquid hydrogen aircraft can be refuelled within conventional commercial turnaround times. The project will also investigate how hydrogen that would otherwise be lost as boil-off gas can be used to power a hydrogen aircraft tug and a hydrogen-powered generation unit supplying electricity for other airport applications.

Birmingham Airport confirmed in July that it would participate in HyPRIME, describing the project as an opportunity to test hydrogen handling, storage and refuelling processes in an operational airport environment.

A 2026 DfT-backed Hydrogen Taskforce report identified airport infrastructure for hydrogen storage, refuelling and on-airport transportation as a key requirement for the first hydrogen aircraft operations and highlighted the need to demonstrate refuelling within commercially viable turnaround times. HyPRIME is part of a broader government programme to establish the infrastructure and technology needed.

ZeroAvia’s current development programme includes the ZA600 powertrain for aircraft carrying up to around 20 passengers, while the company is also developing higher-power systems for larger regional aircraft.