Korean Air to promote the use of hydrogen fuel in aviation

Korean Air has signed up to a project to promote the use of hydrogen fuel in aviation. Last week, the airline signed up to a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to cooperate on developing the infrastructure to supply aviation hydrogen fuel. Also signed up to the initiative are Airbus, Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC) and Air Liquide.

The signing took place at an event at IIAC Headquarters in Incheon, attended by Soo Keun Lee (Executive Vice President and Chief Safety & Operation Officer, Korean Air), Hyoung-Wook Jeon (Vice President of Infrastructure Division, IIAC), Fabrice Espinosa (President, Airbus Korea), and Guillaume Cottet (President and Representative Director, Air Liquide Korea).

Each partner will leverage their own expertise when it comes to developing this project. For Korean Air, its involvement is a visible commitment by the airline to engage in activities to reduce aviation’s impact on the environment. The airline intends to focus on overall operational activities, including flight operations, maintenance and ground handling planning.

IIAC will concentrate on research and development of airport facilities, while Air Liquide will develop an understanding of the domestic demand in Korea for hydrogen powered aircraft. The end result is hoped to be a realistic roadmap for introducing hydrogen fuel.