Key decisions needed in aviation

"It is becoming scarce," fears Angus Baigent, Marketing & PR Manager at the Hamburg Aviation cluster . "Raw materials that cannot be used as food can go towards biofuels, the production of which cannot negatively impact existing biotopes." Waste fats, such as frying oil, are often cited as an acceptable alternative. However, these are unlikely to meet demand in the long term. Enter fully synthetic fuels. Yet, the ramp-up of the required production facilities has been slow due amid regulatory uncertainties. On top of that, climate-friendly fuels were more than three times as expensive as fossil paraffin in April 2024, according to a survey by the Hamburg-based Statista. "Fuel costs typically account for a third of an airline's total expenditure. That doesn't make it easy for airlines to switch. We need plenty of talks about pricing mechanisms and policy," said Baigent.

Yet, Hamburg Airport is on the right track, Baigent believes. After achieving CO2-neutrality in 2021, the airport’s “Net Zero 2035” strategy has put it on track to become Germany's first CO2-free airport by 2035. "Another quarter of a billion euros is now being invested in building the airport's own wind farm near Kaltenkirchen to achieve zero greenhouse gas emissions.” The airport is also driving the energy transition through international partnerships. Sixteen airports, airlines, research institutions and technology companies in Scandinavia, the Baltic States, Poland and Germany have joined the Baltic Sea Region (BSRHYAIRPORT) project to help hydrogen technology take off. "The first demonstration flights from Hamburg could be in 2026," says Baigent. The EU is providing around EUR 3.8 million for the BSR HyAirport.

Hydrogen research at ZAL is also taking off after a hydrogen-powered H2-Finity drone completed its maiden flight in early November. “There are many interesting applications for drones, but battery-powered electric drives have so far only led to short flights. “H2-Finity is aiming for ten-hour flights and is well on its way to reaching this ambitious target,” said Baigent. The ZALbatros and LiquiDrone projects are working on innovative propulsion technology, while the Beagle Systems startup is developing and operating long-range UAVs. "Hamburg is a major UAV centre," Baigent stressed. "It comes as no surprise that Hamburg was one of the first EU cities to become an official model Urban Air Mobility (UAM) region in 2018."

The Aircraft Interiors Expo (April 8-10, 2025) in Hamburg is one of the key meets in 2025, Baignent said. Around 12,000 delegates and 460 exhibitors are expected at the world's leading event for innovations, technologies and products for cabin interiors, in-flight entertainment and passenger comfort. The annual highlight is the presentation of the Crystal Cabin Awards. To maintain its position as one of the world's largest civil aviation centres, the aviation cluster is now eyeing the next generation and has handed out 1,000 experimental kits to schools across Hamburg. "This will enable us to organise hands-on lessons that whet the appetite for STEM subjects and then, hopefully, for our industry," said Baigent, adding, "We need the cool ideas that now lie dormant in young minds to shape the aviation of tomorrow."
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