Comparative Analysis of Direct Operating Costs: Conventional vs. Hydrogen Fuel Cell 19-Seat Aircraft

Maršenka Marksel and Anita Prapotnik Brdnik ()
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Maršenka Marksel: Faculty of Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering and Architecture, University of Maribor, Smetanova ulica 19, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
Anita Prapotnik Brdnik: Faculty of Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering and Architecture, University of Maribor, Smetanova ulica 19, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 14, 1-20

Abstract: In this paper, a comparative analysis of direct operating costs between a 19-seat conventional and hydrogen-powered fuel cell aircraft is performed by developing a model to estimate direct operating costs and considering the evolution of costs over time from 2030 to 2050. However, due to the technology being in its early stages of development and implementation, there are still considerable uncertainties surrounding the direct operating costs of hydrogen aircraft. To address this, the study considers high and low kerosene growth rates and optimistic and pessimistic development scenarios for hydrogen fuel cell aircraft, while also considering the evolution of costs over time. The comparative analysis uses real flight and aircraft data for the airliner Trade Air. The results show that the use of 19-seat hydrogen fuel cell aircraft for air transportation is a viable option when compared to conventional aircraft. Additionally, the study suggests potential policies and other measures that could accelerate the adoption of hydrogen fuel cell technology by considering their direct operating costs.

Keywords: fuel cell aircraft; direct operating cost of aircraft; 19-seat aircraft (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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