Almost all air travel under 750 miles could be made with hydrogen-powered aircraft by 2045, researchers at the Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden have said.

Alongside electric aircraft, hydrogen-powered flight shows promise in decarbonising the difficult-to-abate aviation sector.

“If everything falls into place, the commercialisation of hydrogen flight can go really fast now. As early as 2028, the first commercial hydrogen flights in Sweden could be in the air,” said Tomas Grönstedt, professor at Chalmers.

For hydrogen-powered aviation, short- and medium-range flights are the closest to being realised.

A recent study from Chalmers shows that hydrogen-powered flights have the potential to meet the needs of 97% of all intra-Nordic flight routes and 58% of the Nordic passenger volume by 2045.

The researchers assumed a maximum flight distance of 750 miles and the use of an existing aircraft model adapted for hydrogen power. The study also showcased a new fuel tank that could hold enough...