ALBATROSS has established Germany’s first coordinated airport network dedicated to zero-emission Regional Air Mobility (RAM) operations, directly supporting the Alliance for Zero Emission Aviation (AZEA)’s vision of transitioning 36-68% of intra-EU flights to electric and hydrogen propulsion by 2050. In this initial phase, regional airports across Germany, including Mönchengladbach, Schönhagen, Friedrichshafen, Hof-Plauen, Straubing-Wallmühle, Eggenfelden, Magdeburg-City, Schwäbisch Hall, Memmingen, and Augsburg, have committed to jointly developing their infrastructure for future electric aircraft operations.
Each airport brings unique characteristics and local requirements. Working with ALBATROSS, each network partner is developing into an integrated energy, mobility, and logistics hub. Energy infrastructure is implemented holistically, combining on-site renewable generation, battery storage, intelligent load management, electric charging infrastructure, and provisions for future hydrogen production.
At the local level, airports benefit from cost-effective renewable energy, additional revenue streams from charging services, and operational readiness for future air mobility platforms. For municipalities, many of which are airport shareholders, the integration of battery storage systems reduces stress on local electricity grids while generating new economic opportunities and increasing resilience.
The coordinated network approach delivers multiple strategic advantages: Participating airports work together with ALBATROSS to model future flight schedules, enabling more accurate forecasts of demand patterns across the entire network. Charging infrastructure standards are harmonized across the network and aligned with aircraft manufacturers, including AZEA members such as Vaeridion or Beyond Aero. Concept of Operations (CONOPS) for new aircraft platforms are developed collaboratively, and municipalities are more readily convinced of economic viability when presented with a proven network model rather than isolated airport solutions. Critically, the network structure unlocks new financing mechanisms. While individual airports often struggle to fund large-scale photovoltaic systems, battery energy storage, and charging infrastructure, bundling multiple airports enables ALBATROSS to attract private infrastructure capital at scale.
Contribution to AZEA Objectives:
The coordinated airport network directly contributes to AZEA Working Group 3 (Airport Infrastructure) objectives by accelerating the development of energy storage and supply capacities at aerodromes. Through harmonised plans for photovoltaic generation, battery systems, intelligent load management, electric charging infrastructure, and future hydrogen production, the network advances the creation of fit-for-purpose electricity and hydrogen supply infrastructure in line with workstreams on energy storage, supply, and operations at airports.
By integrating feasibility studies, master planning, and infrastructure deployment across multiple sites, the airports enable consistent operational procedures for electric aviation and lay the groundwork for future hydrogen handling. This strengthens the transition of small and regional airports toward the operational readiness outlined in AZEA’s work on airport procedures and safety adaptations.
The network model also contributes to the investment and finance objectives by defining scalable business cases, bundling infrastructure needs, and unlocking private capital for aerodrome transformation. This demonstrates how coordinated actors can mobilise finance for renewable energy production, storage, and charging services at airports. Finally, by aligning energy demand signals, infrastructure standards, and operational scenarios across several airports, the network helps energy suppliers and aircraft manufacturers plan for reliable future electricity and hydrogen volumes. This supports the broader AZEA goal of connecting aviation needs with Europe’s evolving low-carbon energy ecosystem and ensuring the availability of affordable renewable energy for zero-emission flight
About ALBATROSS
ALBATROSS develops, finances, and operates integrated infrastructure for energy, mobility, and logistics in partnership with regional airports. By combining renewable energy solutions, electrification strategies, and logistics innovation, ALBATROSS enables airports to remain vital economic drivers while preparing for the future of sustainable aviation. With offices in Hamburg and Munich, ALBATROSS is rapidly expanding its partner network across Germany and Europe.
Quelle: ALBATROSS Holding GmbH