Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) will test the feasibility of producing electrolysis-based sustainable aviation fuel (e-SAF) on-site, supported by £1.5 million in funding from the UK Department for Transport. The eight-month study is being led by the University of Sheffield in partnership with LBA, with additional input from the University of Leeds.

The project will explore whether water, carbon dioxide and renewable electricity can be combined to create e-SAF for use at the airport. Unlike conventional fossil fuels, e-SAF offers a circular carbon approach by recycling captured CO₂, aligning with UK aviation’s decarbonisation goals.

If successful, the study could pave the way for a production facility at LBA powered by green electricity, capturing carbon from the air and hydrogen from water to produce jet fuel. Campaigners have welcomed the initiative while stressing that large-scale deployment remains a major challenge for the aviation sector.