The UK Government has today (February 7) announced that it and industry are jointly backing hydrogen and all-electric flight technologies with £113m ($135.5m) to unlock “guilt-free” flight.

Through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Programme, the Government has said it is jointly backing new zero-carbo technologies with industry to open up the future of zero-carbon flight.

Under the new funding programme, projects across the UK will receive backing, including Rolls-Royce-led projects to develop the building blocks of a liquid hydrogen combusting jet engine.

In November (2022), Rolls-Royce and easyJet announced they had reached a new milestone in the development of such an engine, completing the ‘world’s first’ run of a modern aero engine on hydrogen.

The Government also confirmed that Bristol-based electric aircraft manufacturer, Vertical Aerospace will receive backing to develop high-end, lightweight batteries.

It is hoped successful projects under the new funding opportunity will secure thousands of jobs across the supply chain, opening up millions of pounds in private investment.

Earlier this year (January 19), ZeroAvia’s hydrogen-electric powered 19-seat Dornier 228 testbed aircraft took to the skies over the UK, as part of the ATI’s HyFlyer II project.

Commenting on the fresh funding, Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), said, “As the world moves to greener forms of aviation, there is a massive opportunity for the UK’s aerospace industry to secure clean, green jobs and growth for decades to come.”

Additionally, the UK Department for Transport (DfT) is set to launch a call for evidence, seeking views from the aviation sector on how to the zero emissions by 2040 target for airport operations in England.

Mark Harper, Secretary of State for Transport, added, “As well as developing the next generation of aircraft, it’s also crucial we make the sector greener on the ground, and the call for evidence we’re launching today will help us gather evidence on how airports can reach zero emissions by 2040.”

An agreement, revealed in November (2022), outlined plans to deliver hydrogen from the UK’s flagship hydrogen cluster HyNet, to Manchester Airport.

“Rolls-Royce welcomes this announcement from the UK Government,” said Grazia Vittadini, Chief Technology Officer at Rolls-Royce. “ATI funding enables us and our partners to deliver these exciting projects that are critical to the delivery of the zero carbon element of our Net Zero roadmap and will help position the UK as a leader on the pathway to more sustainable flight.”