Analysis of Airport Infrastructure with Regard to the Use of Sustainable and Alternative Aviation Fuels

Abstract

One approach to reducing global CO2 emissions from aviation is to improve the energy efficiency of aircraft concepts. Not only the requirements for the aircraft, but also for the infrastructure of airports are a relevant area of this research: Through the use of sustainable aviation fuels, the infrastructure of airports will inevitably adapt to new conditions. Even though airports are currently in an observer position, the required infrastructure effort must be researched at an early stage in order to provide airport customers with the infrastructure for the use of sustainable and alternative aviation fuels in good time. Exploring the feasibility of future airport requirements is the research focus of this thesis. The aim of this research is to identify future airport infrastructure measures that are required for the operation of hydrogen-powered aircraft concepts in order to be able to include necessary adaptations in airport infrastructure planning at an early stage. For this purpose, future and scenario analyses are used as methods to make an assessment based on selected criteria. It is assumed that even with a moderate future growth of hydrogen, considerable demands will have to be made on the infrastructure in general and the airport infrastructure in particular.