Soaring High in Sustainability: Hamburg's Aviation Industry Revival and Green Transformation
Approximately 49,000 staff members are stationed at the Airbus facility in Hamburg. - Around four hasn't lessened, approximately, from the workforce in Hamburg's aviation field
Hamburg's aviation sector has experienced a notable rebound since the COVID-19 pandemic, employing close to 49,000 people in 2021. This marks an impressive 18% increase compared to the pre-pandemic year of 2019, as reported by Hamburg's Minister of Economy, Melanie Leonhard (SPD). The industry's contribution to the city's Gross Value Added reached nearly €6.9 billion in 2021, representing a substantial 35% increase or €1.8 billion more than in 2019.
As the world's third-largest aviation hub, trailing behind Toulouse, France (Airbus) and Arlington County, USA (Boeing), the industry's growth mainly stems from the world's second-largest Airbus plant in Hamburg-Finkenwerder and Lufthansa Technik at the airport, which jointly employ approximately 28,000 people. The aviation industry accounts for almost half of Hamburg's total exports.
The city is intent on maintaining its status as a leading aviation hub, acknowledged by Hamburg's Minister of Economy, Melanie Leonhard, who expressed the desire for a greener future. Alongside her statement, a study conducted by the Institute for Innovation and Technology, commissioned by the Cluster Hamburg Aviation, suggests measures to achieve this goal. These recommendations encompass increased collaboration, reduced bureaucracy, enhanced infrastructure, targeted support for future technologies, and strengthened backing for small and medium-sized enterprises. However, the most pressing concern remains the availability of skilled workers, as highlighted by Hamburg Aviation's CEO, Ralf Gust.
In their coalition agreement, SPD and Greens are dedicated to Hamburg gaining a prominent position internationally in the field of "green flying." This commitment includes water hydrogen applications and synthetic kerosene production. The city plans to establish appropriate production facilities and advocate for funding and enabling legislation at the federal and European Union levels.
Regarding climate-neutral flight operations, Gust acknowledges the long road ahead, but, fortunately, Hamburg is already leading the way in this area, thank partly to the active engagement of the maritime industry. One key objective is to build a production facility for sustainable aviation fuels in Hamburg. This ambition hinges on the world agreeing on blending quotas for sustainable energy carriers. Preliminary talks with industrial companies are already underway, but the European Union requires agreement on a regulatory framework first.
Hamburg's aviation industry is spearheading green projects, SAF initiatives, and advanced R&D. For instance, major aerospace companies like Airbus are investing in SAF production through platforms such as the SAF Financing Alliance (SAFFA) and collaborations with SAF producers like LanzaJet. Airbus's "Book and Claim" demonstrator facilitates worldwide SAF purchasing, allowing operators to buy certificates and claim emission reductions, thus stimulating global SAF demand, even if the physical fuel is sourced elsewhere.
To support sustainable energy sources, Hamburg is focusing on hydrogen—particularly in the port area, which aims to become a Sustainable Energy Hub as part of the city's broader goal to achieve climate neutrality by 2045. Hamburg's future plans include ensuring energy-intensive industries have access to sustainable energy, primarily through developing a hydrogen value chain centered in the port.
The city leverages its industrial and research strengths to accelerate the transition to green aviation, focusing on both technological innovation and infrastructure development. Hamburg's R&D ecosystem continues to evolve, with the establishment of the "Industrialised Additive Manufacturing Hub Hamburg" (IAMHH) and the opening of new research facilities such as ZAL II and Techhub in the Altona Innovation Park. These advancements aim to drive innovation in green aviation technologies.
In summary, Hamburg's aviation industry is at the forefront of green transformation, investing in SAF, expanding sustainable energy infrastructure, and driving R&D across additive manufacturing, AI, and air traffic management, while actively shaping European collaboration for a sustainable aviation future.
- The city's strategy for achieving a greener future includes strengthened backing for small and medium-sized enterprises, targeted support for future technologies such as SAF production, and the establishment of a production facility for sustainable aviation fuels in Hamburg.
- Hamburg's R&D ecosystem, which includes the Industrialised Additive Manufacturing Hub Hamburg and new research facilities like ZAL II and Techhub in the Altona Innovation Park, is driving innovation in green aviation technologies, focusing on areas like additive manufacturing, AI, and air traffic management.
