Investment in hydrogen-powered aviation – great opportunities, high barriers to entry

Through long-term investments in energy, aviation, and collaboration, Skellefteå has laid the groundwork for testing hydrogen-powered aircraft in real-world environments.
The region offers access to green energy, collaborating airports, trained pilots, and an environment that allows for testing under demanding conditions. At the same time, the technology is still on its way to commercial maturity.
– We realized early on that we needed to test the entire aviation value chain, and that all the necessary conditions were here. That’s why we set up the project, says Henrik Littorin, program manager at the Arctic Aviation Hub in Skellefteå.

Through the Arctic Aviation Hub development program, efforts have focused on creating a system demonstrator for hydrogen-powered aircraft and powertrains, in collaboration with partners such as ZeroAvia, Skellefteå Kraft, Skellefteå Airport, BRA, Green Flight Academy, and Lycksele Airport. The goal was to demonstrate a small hydrogen-powered aircraft in test flights between Skellefteå and Lycksele.

– The idea was to lease a small aircraft that was being converted to hydrogen propulsion in the UK and use it as a system demonstrator. But the certification isn’t complete yet. Without an approved aircraft, we can neither fly nor apply for the funding needed to take the next step, says Henrik. Hopefully, this is just a temporary delay. The safety requirements are extensive, and the process can take several years.

– There are many new elements that need to be approved. Right now, to be honest, not much is happening in the air, but that doesn’t mean the issue has lost its relevance. Quite the opposite—it’s moving higher and higher up on the agenda, he says.

"We can do it all"

At the same time, local conditions will be further strengthened in 2026. Skellefteå Kraft plans to produce green hydrogen, which will enable demonstrations of the entire chain—from production and storage to refueling and flight.

– For testing purposes, relatively small volumes are needed. We have the capability to store smaller volumes of hydrogen at the airport and conduct tests under controlled and safe conditions. Combined with the winter conditions, we can stress-test systems in a way that few other places can, says Henrik Littorin.
It’s the big picture that really stands out. In many places, you can demonstrate individual components, such as refueling or technology in a lab setting. In Skellefteå, we have the ability to carry out the entire process.

– We can do the whole thing. That’s pretty unique. But it’s also costly. Being a pioneer means incurring high initial costs before there’s a functioning market, he says.

One of Several Solutions

Hydrogen-powered aviation is considered to have particularly great potential for shorter regional routes, where batteries aren’t sufficient.

– The advantage of hydrogen is zero emissions during operation, quieter engines, and the ability to fly longer distances with larger aircraft than is possible with batteries. The technology already exists and can be integrated into existing aircraft, says Henrik.

He sees hydrogen as one of several solutions for the future of aviation, rather than the only one.

– This is coming. The question is when. And when it happens, you want to be an early adopter. In northern Sweden, distances are long on the ground but short in the air. Aviation continues to play an important role there.
For Skellefteå, the next step is to determine when and how a larger-scale demonstration will take place—as a test operation or in a more commercial form.

– The conditions are here. Now it’s a matter of timing, financing, and making sure the technology catches up. It costs money to be first, but that’s also how you gain knowledge that lasts over time, he says.