The first RHIA Morning Take-off session marked a vibrant start to the day for aviation innovators! The sessions aim to provide a platform for inspiration and connection. This particular event, designed for those passionate about airport innovation, presented an opportunity to delve into sustainable aviation practices, with a focus on hydrogen technology.
Opening remarks
Victor Rijkaart, the director of RHIA, welcomed the participants warmly, setting expectations for a session filled with inspiration and collaboration. His opening remarks emphasized the importance of community and collective effort in driving aviation innovation.
Keynote on hydrogen aviation
The highlight of the morning was a keynote speech delivered by Julian Klaaßen from Hamburg Airport, focusing on hydrogen-powered aviation. Klaaßen, an expert in environmental management, shared current advancements made by Hamburg Airport, emphasizing their commitment to sustainability through hydrogen technology. Participants learned about the Hydrogen Aviation Lab, an innovative collaboration with Lufthansa Technik, DLR, and ZAL. This initiative involves a converted Airbus A320 used to test maintenance and refueling processes, a step towards developing future infrastructure. Julian introduced the Hydrogen Flight Corridor Initiative, a collaboration with Rotterdam The Hague Airport and ZeroAvia. This initiative aims to advance mobile hydrogen refueling systems and demonstration flights, showcasing a promising pathway for sustainable aviation. Additionally, Klaaßen discussed Hamburg Airport’s involvement in the EU-funded BSR Hydrogen Air Transport project and the Airbus “Hydrogen Hub at Airport” network, both of which aim to establish a sustainable hydrogen supply chain.
Interactive Q&A session
Following the keynote, a lively Q&A session allowed participants to explore how Hamburg Airport’s successes could be adapted to RHIA and the regional context. The dialogue focused on collaborative opportunities and future steps necessary for scaling up innovations at Rotterdam The Hague Airport.
Call for action & closing
While fighting time to answer all questions, the session ended with a Call for Action, encouraging participants to engage in further discussion by making use of the RHIA community system and events.
Overall, the first RHIA Morning Take-off session was a resounding success, offering a platform for innovation, inspiration, and actionable insights. There’s an appetite for more, the next RHIA morning take-off will follow soon!
