Hydrogen applications in airport operations: A review using the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey as an illustrative airport system

Abstract

Airports combine aircraft propulsion, ground operations, stationary power, and fuel logistics in ways that make emissions reduction technically and operationally complex. This review evaluates hydrogen across four airport-relevant domains: sustainable aviation fuel production, hydrogenpowered aircraft, ground support equipment and vehicles, and stationary power systems. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is used as an illustrative airport system to relate the literature to a real operating context. Drawing on peer-reviewed studies, technical reports, demonstration projects, and public operational information, the review also includes screeninglevel calculations of hydrogen demand and potential CO 2 e reduction for selected applications. The findings show that hydrogen's role differs by use case. Near-term opportunities are strongest where hydrogen serves as a low-carbon process input, supports selected high-utilization ground equipment, or contributes to resilient stationary power configurations. Hydrogen-powered aircraft remain a longer-term option because storage, fueling infrastructure, certification, cost, and NO x management continue to constrain deployment. Across all domains, infrastructure readiness, fuel logistics, safety requirements, and leakage management emerge as recurring determinants of viability. The review highlights the need for integrated airport planning and clearer comparison of hydrogen with sustainable aviation fuel and electrification pathways.