Title: Operational performance in sustainable aviation: an in-depth analysis of turnaround times of future commercial narrowbody liquid hydrogen aircraft

Authors: Diego Babuder; Yulia Lapko; Julian Hoelzen; David Zingg

Addresses: Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20156, Milan, Italy ' Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20156, Milan, Italy ' Institute of Electric Power Systems, Leibniz Universität Hannover, 30167, Hanover, Germany ' Institute for Aerospace Studies, University of Toronto, M3H 5T6, Toronto, Canada

Abstract: Liquid hydrogen (LH2) aircraft are expected to play a significant role in decarbonising the aviation industry. Their adoption will have multiple operational impacts, one of the most relevant for airlines being associated with the potential changes in turnaround times. This paper quantifies the expected changes in turnaround times of commercial narrowbody LH2 aircraft and assesses the impact of these new turnaround times on airline operational performance using actual empirical data. The main conclusion of this study is that the changes in turnaround times of LH2 aircraft are expected to have a rather marginal impact on airline operational performance, and therefore LH2 aircraft propulsion technology has the potential, following the implementation of the necessary adjustments and accommodations, to be compatible with existing operations. Overall, this study provides multiple new insights valuable for industrial decision-makers in making key strategic decisions regarding the adoption of LH2 aircraft technology.

Keywords: sustainable aviation; aviation decarbonisation; hydrogen aviation; liquid hydrogen-fuelled aircraft; LH2 refuelling; airline operational performance; airline operation management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSA.2025.145735

International Journal of Sustainable Aviation, 2025 Vol.11 No.1, pp.1 - 38

Received: 14 Jun 2024
Accepted: 06 Nov 2024
Published online: 17 Apr 2025 *

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