DutcH₂ Aviation Hub Progress Event

Join us on Wednesday May-20 during the World Hydrogen Summit for the DutcH₂ Aviation Hub Progress Event to accelerate the development of hydrogen in aviation.

Building on the previous edition, this year’s programme focuses on the first operational phase of the hydrogen value chain. Central themes include hydrogen production and import, and the crucial connection between the Port of Rotterdam and Rotterdam The Hague Airport as key nodes in the emerging hydrogen infrastructure and economics.

A programme shaped by the full hydrogen chain

The RHIA event opens with a plenary session featuring leading partners from the port ecosystem. The Port of Rotterdam will share its vision for hydrogen development in the region, followed by an update from Air Products on the expansion of its liquid hydrogen plant.

In the second part of the programme, the focus shifts to the airport perspective. The DutcH₂ Aviation Hub team will showcase the concrete progress made across the programme’s portfolio — including the opening of the Liquid Hydrogen Storage Facility for R&D, the first safety test at Rotterdam The Hague Airport in the EU funded project Albatros, the arrival of a hydrogen refuelling station on land side (Fountain Fuel), advancements in distribution pathways, and ongoing work on refuelling infrastructure, certification, and safety. Alongside these milestones, we will also take a candid look at challenges that remain, and research still required to move hydrogen aviation from early demonstrations to scalable operations. The session concludes with a forward-looking announcement that marks the beginning of the programme’s next development phase.

Strengthening the Dutch hydrogen aviation ecosystem by connecting international partners

By aligning the Hub event with the World Hydrogen Summit, we ensure that our work is visible to the international hydrogen community already gathered in Rotterdam. It provides a practical opportunity to connect with global partners, exchange insights, and place the Dutch hydrogen aviation efforts in the wider context of the energy transition. This connection strengthens collaboration and helps position the Netherlands as an active contributor to the development of hydrogen-powered aviation. With the integration of AeroDelft’s hydrogen taxi test planned on Thursday 21st of May, we move beyond discussion and demonstrate real-world implementation of first steps towards hydrogen aviation solutions.

Program Overview

1:30PM – 1:45PM | Walk in & registration

Rotterdam Ahoy Convention Centre

Room Dock 12

Ahoyweg 10

3084 BA Rotterdam

1:45PM – 2:00PM | Opening – Hydrogen Production & Port Infrastructure

Introduction by Cornelia Bom – Rotterdam The Hague Innovation Airport and Daan van Dijk – DutcH₂ Aviation Hub/ Rotterdam The Hague Airport

Focus: Rotterdam (and its surrounding region) as a living lab for hydrogen-powered aviation.

2:00PM– 2:15PM | Hydrogen development in the port of Rotterdam

Speaker: Mark Stoelinga Director Energy, Commercial- Port of Rotterdam

Topics include:

• Hydrogen strategy for the port
• Import corridors
• Port–airport connectivity

2:15PM – 2:25PM | Industrial perspective – liquid hydrogen infrastructure

Speaker: Antonina Firsova, Business Development Manager Hydrogen for Mobility Netherlands – Air Products Including updates on:

• Expansion of the liquid hydrogen plant
• Supply chain development
• Applications for aviation

2:25PM – 2:30PM | Moving to the World Hydrogen Summit exhibition

2:30PM – 3:00PM | Ecosystem Pitches – hosted by Innovation Quarter at the Port of Rotterdam Pavillion

Short pitches highlighting regional hydrogen innovation.

3:00PM – 3:45PM | Conference Tour – Meet the DutcH₂ Aviation Hub community

Guided tour along DutcH₂ Aviation Hub partners at World Hydrogen Summit, including among others Cryoworld and ITP Interpipe.

3:45PM – 4: 30PM | Hydrogen aviation from an airport point of view

Room: Dock 12

DutcH₂ Aviation Hub programme update on roadmap and funnel, including:

• Hydrogen storage concepts for airports
• Distribution and logistics
• Refuelling infrastructure
• Certification, regulation and safety
• International collaboration

We will announce a follow-up event later this year, featuring in-depth workshops to refine the development agenda.

Short wrap-up by Cornelia Bom and Daan van Dijk with a specific milestone: Signing of the first RHIA partnership agreement: marking the commitment of the first organisation to jointly invest effort and resources in advancing the DutcH₂ Aviation Hub development agenda.

4:30PM – 6:00PM | Networking Drinks

Connect with partners, innovators and international delegates at the World Hydrogen Summit.

Why attend?

• Gain first-hand insights from leading hydrogen producers and infrastructure developers
• Learn how port and airport ecosystems are shaping the hydrogen aviation chain
• Understand future needs of hydrogen-powered aviation and how to contribute
• Celebrate new partnerships and experience hydrogen innovation
• Network with the international hydrogen community

Make sure you secure your spot and sign up before May-11. There are only a few spots available!