Pressroom, Environment

Pilot project with mobile hydrogen refuelling station and hydrogen tractor at Brussels Airport

Brussels Airport and Stargate EU Green Deal project partners VIL and DHL are currently testing a hydrogen refuelling station and a hydrogen-powered Mulag at Brussels Airport. This hydrogen pilot for ground handling, a first for the airport, should give all the involved partners insights into the potential of hydrogen as an alternative fuel. Just like electric ground handling equipment, the use of hydrogen significantly reduces both emissions and noise impact of ground operations. 

Earlier this month, a mobile hydrogen refuelling station was installed on the tarmac at Brussels Airport by VIL, in collaboration with WaterstofNet, to test hydrogen as a fuel for ground handling operations. This pilot is part of the Stargate project, a project of Brussels Airport with a consortium of 21 partners, to develop innovative solutions for sustainable airports and aviation. 

DHL is testing the first hydrogen prototype for ground handling operations, a Mulag towing tractor with an integrated hydrogen fuel cell system. The towing tractor for the transport and loading of cargo, is refuelled with hydrogen using the mobile station on site. The fueling and operations are conducted by trained and certified operators, as the project includes comprehensive training for users, logistics managers, mechanics, fire brigade, and health and safety personnel. 

Hydrogen and electricity as alternatives for ground handling 

The goal of this pilot is to evaluate the potential of hydrogen as an alternative fuel for ground handling equipment, next to electric ground handling equipment, and to gain insight into the necessary procedures to use this fuel at an airport. This test will serve as a model for other partner airports within the Stargate project, offering valuable insights into permit application processes, safety requirements, and operational experiences for all airport partners. The test will run for six weeks, until June 27th. 

Just like electric ground handling equipment, hydrogen fuelled vehicles have no CO2-emissions and noise impact, which benefits both local residents and airport personnel. One of the benefits of hydrogen is that vehicles can be fuelled instantly, which can be interesting for certain operations and makes them less dependent on the electricity grid. This initiative is an important step towards the broader adoption of hydrogen technology in aviation, paving the way for a more sustainable future. 

For more information on the Stargate program, please visit the Stargate website. 

 

This project has received subsidies within the Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme of the European Union in the context of subsidy agreement GA101037053. ​ 

 

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About Brussels Airport

Brussels Airport is one of the most important airports in Europe. In 2024, Brussels Airport welcomed 23.6 million passengers and transported 733,000 tonnes of cargo through the airport. Brussels Airport caters for the specific needs of business travellers and holidaymakers alike, on both intra-European and long haul flights. In 2025, the airport offers direct connections between Belgium and 210 destinations worldwide, with flights operated by 80 airlines.   

The airport also offers a leading cargo platform, specialised in the transport of pharmaceutical products, perishable goods, e-commerce and live animals. Brussels Airport is the most important pharmaceutical hub in Europe with the largest area of temperature-controlled warehouses.  

With its SHIFT 2027 strategy, launched in 2022, Brussels Airport Company intends to strengthen its position as a major European hub, accelerate its ambitious sustainability goals, e.g. through the European Green Deal project Stargate, and continue to diversify its activities by focusing on innovation and cooperation.

Brussels Airport is the second most important economic engine in Belgium, good for 64,000 direct and indirect jobs and is owned and operated by Brussels Airport Company. The shareholders are a consortium of private investors (75%) and the Belgian State (25%).Follow Brussels Airport on Twitter, Linkedin, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.  

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www.brusselsairport.be