Julian Klaaßen

Julian Klaaßen is responsible for the decarbonization of Hamburg Airport. Within his function as project manager for the future goal Net Zero 2035, he also works on hydroge-based mobility and its introduction at HAM. He is committed to driving innovation and sustainability in the aviation industry and works for the successful implementation of hydrogen-powered flights in HAM.

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Panel discussion: Challenges and benefits of integrating alternative fuels in airport development

This panel discussion addresses the critical climate risks facing the aviation industry, with a focus on transitioning to alternative fuel technologies, especially hydrogen infrastructure. Participants will explore the challenges and opportunities in adopting alternative fuels such as electric and/or hydrogen as a sustainable solution to mitigate climate change impacts. The session highlights the five key risk areas – spatial, operational, safety, stakeholder and financial – that airports must navigate. Featuring real-world case studies and actionable insights, the discussion emphasizes the role of innovative strategies and infrastructure development in driving resilience and sustainability within the sector.

The audience will learn:

• Discover the potential of hydrogen as a sustainable alternative fuel in aviation
• Analyze the risks associated with transitioning to hydrogen infrastructure
• Explore solutions for addressing spatial, operational and safety challenges in adopting new technologies
• Learn from case studies on managing stakeholder and financial risks during energy transitions
• Understand how airports can develop resilient infrastructure to support alternative fuel adoption