Hydrogen standards and aviation sustainability: a gap analysis of ISO, SAE and ASTM documentation

The aviation industry aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, but widespread adoption of hydrogen propulsion is limited by the lack of aviation-specific standards and certification processes. Although numerous hydrogen standards exist, their suitability for aviation safety, certification, and sustainability has not been fully assessed. This study systematically reviews 24 international hydrogen standards and regulations, evaluating their applicability across seven aviation lifecycle stages: fuel quality, storage, fuelling infrastructure, certification, aircraft operation, continuing airworthiness, and end-of-life management. Findings show that most standards focus on early stages, with around 70% coverage for fuel production and quality and 60% for fuelling infrastructure. A key gap is the absence of a dedicated qualification process for hydrogen aviation fuel. Most existing standards originate from road and industrial sectors and require adaptation for aviation. This research provides a comprehensive lifecycle mapping of hydrogen standards for aviation and identifies priority areas for future standardisation efforts.