May 2025
At the IATA Ground Handling Conference (IGHC2025), TULIPS – Green Airports shared its latest insights into the potential of hydrogen-powered ground support equipment (GSE) at airports. In a dedicated session, experts from Fraunhofer IML, Royal Schiphol Group, and TLD explored both the opportunities and challenges of integrating hydrogen into airport ground operations.
Hydrogen’s Role in Decarbonising Airports
Hydrogen is emerging as a promising third pathway—alongside battery-electric technologies and biofuels—for decarbonising mobile ground operations. It is already technically feasible for use in ground power units (GPUs) and tow tractors. However, broader adoption depends on the availability and affordability of green hydrogen.
Seamless Integration into Airport Ecosystems
A key theme of the session was how to introduce hydrogen without disrupting existing airport operations. Airports are highly interdependent systems where reliability is critical. Any new technology must be able to seamlessly replace existing equipment without compromising operational efficiency or safety.
From Niche to Mainstream Use
The panel outlined several future scenarios for hydrogen adoption. In a conservative scenario, hydrogen may be used only in niche applications driven by regulatory requirements. In a more optimistic outlook, hydrogen could be widely deployed for high-emission or heavy-duty GSE, as supply chains mature and costs decrease.
Demonstrating Practical Reliability
TULIPS follows a “form follows function” approach in its demonstrator projects. By the end of this summer, the project aims to showcase the operational reliability of a hydrogen-powered GPU and tow tractor. These demonstrations will help reduce remaining barriers to implementation, focusing attention on financing and the resilience of hydrogen supply chains.
