Tracking Flight Paths for a Greener Aviation Future

An Adelaide University-led synthesis has laid out a roadmap for how commercial aviation could move toward net-zero emissions by using green hydrogen as a jet fuel alternative. Aviation is among the fastest-growing sources of greenhouse gases, responsible for roughly 14% of transport emissions, and it remains exceptionally difficult to decarbonise compared with many other sectors. Unlike conventional jet fuel, hydrogen does not produce carbon dioxide during flight, and when produced from renewable energy, it could substantially reduce life-cycle emissions.

The study, developed with Hong Kong Polytechnic University, reviewed 138 peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2025. By consolidating what the research community has already demonstrated, the authors assessed how mature green hydrogen production is and what remains uncertain before hydrogen can be deployed commercially at scale for aircraft operations.

Lead author Zahra Jaffary, a PhD candidate at the University of Adelaide, argues that green hydrogen is technically plausible but still faces major feasibility and implementation gaps. “Current research trends” are emerging quickly, yet the findings show that critical uncertainties persist about where hydrogen systems should be installed, how they should be supplied, and what airport-level demand will actually look like over time.

A key challenge is infrastructure planning. Airports must decide between onsite, offsite, or hybrid hydrogen supply models, each of which changes costs, space requirements, and operational complexity. The report also highlights the need to model future fueling demand at specific airports, including potential spatial constraints and the design of refuelling systems compatible with real aircraft turnarounds.

Policy and regulation are another major bottleneck. Because airports may not invest in hydrogen infrastructure without strong commercial and governmental signals, the research emphasizes targeted incentives and regulatory frameworks to reduce investment risk and accelerate adoption.

Safety considerations may ultimately determine whether hydrogen can scale smoothly in aviation environments. Hydrogen’s wide flammability range, low ignition energy, and handling requirements demand updated design standards, robust leak detection, and revised procedures for both aircraft and airport personnel.

Finally, the authors stress that improving hydrogen production cost and efficiency is only part of the puzzle. Long lead times for infrastructure development mean that stakeholders must plan now—aligning technical readiness, governance, and investment pathways—if hydrogen jet fuel is to become a reality.