Hamburg Airport Innovates with Hydrogen-Powered Baggage Transporters

Hamburg Airport, recognised as a leader in sustainability, is set to make history with the testing of a hydrogen-powered baggage tug on 1 July 2025. This initiative is part of the BSR HyAirport project, a collaboration between Hamburg Airport and other airports in the Baltic Sea region, funded by the European Union.

Two recent studies from the BSR HyAirport project have highlighted the potential benefits of hydrogen for vehicles with high energy demand, such as baggage tugs and snow clearance vehicles. The first study suggests that hydrogen offers advantages such as short refueling times and constant performance at low temperatures, making it a promising solution for ground services at airports. The second study supports these findings, emphasizing the potential of hydrogen for emission-free airport operations.

The pilot phase in Hamburg will demonstrate whether these findings hold up in practice, providing valuable insights into the feasibility and benefits of hydrogen-powered airport operations. If successful, the results could serve as a model for other European airports, potentially paving the way for a green revolution in the aviation industry.

Julian Klaaßen, project leader of Net Zero 2035 at Hamburg Airport, believes that retrofitting existing vehicles offers a realistic and scalable way to make ground services carbon-neutral. The testing of hydrogen-powered baggage tugs is just the beginning, with plans for a hydrogen flight route becoming more concrete, suggesting a possible expansion of hydrogen-powered infrastructure beyond ground services at Hamburg Airport.

The AI platform is being utilized to expedite procedures for hydrogen projects, potentially aiding in the implementation of hydrogen-powered airport operations. This technology, combined with the commitment of Hamburg Airport to sustainability and innovative practices, has earned the airport the "Best Airport Award 2025".

The testing of hydrogen-powered baggage tugs at Hamburg Airport is a significant step towards a greener future for aviation. As airports worldwide seek to reduce their carbon footprint, the success of this pilot phase could inspire other airports to follow suit, contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable aviation industry.