- Viviana Cigolotti from ENEA, coordinator of ALRIGH2T, presented project’s work on hydrogen refuelling technologies at the 6th AZEA General Assembly
The 6th General Assembly of the Alliance for Zero-Emission Aviation (AZEA) brought together leading representatives from across Europe’s aviation and energy sectors to advance the transition towards clean, climate-neutral flight.
Organised by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS), the meeting forms part of an initiative launched to support the deployment of hydrogen- and electric-powered aviation in Europe. Its main objective was to review progress and discuss strategic actions to accelerate aviation decarbonisation, while strengthening collaboration among industry, research organisations and public authorities.
The gathering attracted a broad spectrum of participants, including representatives from the European Commission, the Clean Aviation and Clean Hydrogen Joint Undertakings, EASA, national ministries, leading aerospace manufacturers, technology developers, airports and research centres.
As part of this shared ambition, Viviana Cigolotti from ENEA, coordinator of ALRIGH2T, participated as an invited speaker in the session dedicated to hydrogen technologies and infrastructure for zero-emission aviation. Her presentation highlighted the project’s ongoing work on liquid hydrogen refuelling technologies, providing insights into how hydrogen can be safely and efficiently integrated into airport operations as a key step towards decarbonising the aviation sector.
Viviana Gigolotti, from ENEA, during her presentation.
A shared vision for zero-emission flight
The Alliance for Zero-Emission Aviation, launched by the European Commission in 2022, serves as a collaborative platform uniting more than 200 stakeholders, from aircraft manufacturers and operators to energy providers, airports and research centres. Its mission is to ensure that all parts of the aviation value chain are ready for the arrival of zero-emission aircraft powered by hydrogen or electricity.
The General Assembly provides a forum for members to exchange experiences, align priorities and identify common challenges to be addressed collectively. Discussions during the meeting focused on reviewing progress, identifying strategic actions, and fostering coordination among stakeholders to support the deployment of hydrogen and electric aviation in Europe.
Through these dialogues, AZEA is developing a shared roadmap that will guide Europe’s efforts to make hydrogen and electric propulsion a viable and scalable reality for commercial aviation.
Strengthening collaboration across Europe
ALRIGH2T’s participation in the event underscores the project’s contribution to Europe’s coordinated approach to sustainable aviation. By engaging with initiatives such as AZEA, the project helps bridge the gap between research and implementation, ensuring that innovative technologies are developed in alignment with regulatory and infrastructural needs.
Events like the AZEA General Assembly play a crucial role in creating a common understanding among all stakeholders involved in the transition to zero-emission flight. They also highlight the importance of collaboration between research, industry and policymakers to accelerate the uptake of hydrogen solutions in aviation.
The outcomes of these discussions will feed into the forthcoming AZEA Roadmap, which will set the direction for Europe’s next steps in developing the ecosystem needed for hydrogen and electric propulsion.
