Bristol Airport’s innovation fund to support cutting-edge projects
Created: 24th Sep 2026Bristol Airport has announced funding for cutting-edge innovation projects, which will drive forward decarbonisation of the aviation industry.
In 2026, the Airport’s Aviation Carbon Transition (ACT Programme) will fund low-height wind power, examine the potential for direct air capture of carbon, and study hydrogen operations.
Bristol Airport’s ACT Programme opens annually and is available to any organisation or company with an innovate proposals to reduce aviation and airport emissions.
The ACT Programme is now in its fourth year and has provided hundreds of thousands of pounds to innovation projects since it was founded This year, there were a record 28 applications to the fund, with 3 successful projects.
Each will examine innovative ways to reduce Bristol Airport’s Scope 3 emissions, which include flights and passengers and staff accessing the Airport.
The successful projects are:
1. Falcon: Airport Wind
Led by Seamach, this feasibility study explores the potential for a low-height wind farm at Bristol Airport and dual use for CO₂ Direct Air Capture more widely. The project aims to overcome traditional barriers to wind turbine deployment in airports, such as radar interference and operational safety concerns.
Bristol Airport currently relies on solar panels for on-site renewable energy generation, which last summer produced enough energy to power 400 homes.
2. Developing Direct Air Capture Locally to Bristol Airport
Proposed by Equilibrion, this study will evaluate the feasibility of establishing direct air capture infrastructure in the South West region to remove carbon from the atmosphere.
By identifying local sites and comparing technologies, this project seeks to create a roadmap for integrating air capture into Bristol Airport’s decarbonisation strategy. The captured CO₂ could be used to create Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
3. Supercool: Hydrogen Turnaround and Cold Chain
HyFlux’s project introduces a digital twin simulation of hydrogen-electric aircraft operations at Bristol Airport.
The model will explore producing, liquefying, and transporting hydrogen within our region.
Clare Hennessey, Director of Sustainability at Bristol Airport, commented:
"We received a huge number of applications to our 2026 ACT Programme, making choosing successful projects a tough decision.
“The projects we’re supporting are exceptional and will look to overcome some of the challenges we and the wider aviation industry face. Our region has a unique cluster of aerospace companies, expertise, and world-leading universities. Our ACT Programme provides them with funding for innovative ways to reduce emissions, with the option of the Airport being available as a testbed for new technology.”
The ACT Programme 2026 follows an announcement by the Department for Transport that Bristol Airport will be involved in three separate projects to decarbonise flight, making the Airport a centre of innovation. These are funded through the £8million Zero Emissions Flight Demonstrator Programme and include the first flight of a liquid hydrogen-powered aircraft from the UK airport.