EasyJet claims first with hydrogen fuel engine test

The engine, a standard model as used on regional aircraft, was powered with ‘green hydrogen’ created using wind and tide power in the Orkney Islands.

The airline and engine manufacturer are trialling the fuel, which both believe could one day power specially-designed aircraft on routes such as UK-Northern Ireland and between the Scottish mainland and islands.

Grazia Vittadini, Rolls Royce chief technology officer, said: “We are pushing the boundaries to discover the zero carbon possibilities of hydrogen, which could help reshape the future of flight.

“We only announced our partnership with easyJet in July and we are already off to an incredible start with this landmark achievement.” 

Hydrogen is a greener alternative to normal aviation fuel but has serious drawbacks including its very high flammability and the need for it to be stored at very low temperature to ensure it remains liquid. Fuel loads will need to be bigger compared to those powered by kerosene and aircraft must be specially designed because more energy is needed per passenger.

Nevertheless, easyjet and Loganair are conducting trials using the fuel.

EasyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren said: “This is a real success for our partnership team. We are committed to continuing to support this ground-breaking research because hydrogen offers great possibilities for a range of aircraft, including easyJet-sized aircraft. That will be a huge step forward in meeting the challenge of net zero by 2050.”

A second second set of tests are planned, “with a longer-term ambition to carry out flight tests”.