GKN Aerospace chief technology officer Russ Dunn has been appointed as chair of the UK lobbying group Hydrogen in Aviation Alliance (HIA), taking over from Johan Lundgren, chief executive of EasyJet.

Lundgren, who has led HIA since its formation in 2023, is stepping down from the body as he prepares to also depart the budget carrier early next year.

ZEROe hydrogen concept-c-Airbus

Source: Airbus

Group will explore infrastructure challenges to be overcome

Earlier this year, HIA released its first milestone report, outlining the steps and timeline the UK government and industry need to follow if it is to secure its place as a hydrogen aviation leader.

In 2025, HIA will focus on initial priority areas from the report, notably those related to skills and airport infrastructure, to ensure the country is ready for the transition to hydrogen.

GKN Aerospace has been exploring multiple technologies to permit hydrogen-powered flight. Earlier this year it unveiled a UK government-backed project to develop a 2MW-class fuel cell powertrain with ambitions to eventually flight test the system.

Besides EasyJet and GKN Aerospace, HIA’s members comprise Airbus, Bristol Airport, Orsted, Rolls-Royce and ZeroAvia.

Dominic Perry is deputy editor of Flight International but also contributes extensively to flightglobal.com. Although specialising in the coverage of the helicopter industry, he has written on most topics in aerospace – be they commercial, defence or business aviation. In addition, there has been an increasing focus on the decarbonisation of the industry and zero-emission flight initiatives.View full Profile

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