Public Acceptance of a Proposed Sub-Regional, Hydrogen–Electric, Aviation Service: Empirical Evidence from HEART in the United Kingdom
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: This paper addresses public acceptance of a proposed sub-regional, hydrogen–electric, aviation service reporting initial empirical evidence from the UK HEART project. The objective was to assess public acceptance of a wide range of service features, including hydrogen power, electric motors, and pilot assistance automation, in the context of an ongoing realisable commercial plan. Both qualitative and quantitative data collection instruments were leveraged, including focus groups and stakeholder interviews, as well as the questionnaire-based Scottish National survey, coupled with the advanced discrete-choice modelling of the data. The results from each method are presented, compared, and contrasted, focusing on the strength, reliability, and validity of the data to generate insights into public acceptance. The findings suggest that public concerns were tempered by an incomplete understanding of the technology but were interpretable in terms of key service elements. Respondents’ concerns and opinions centred around hydrogen as a fuel, single-pilot automation, safety and security, disability and inclusion, environmental impact, and the perceived usefulness of novel service features such as terminal design, automation, and sustainability. The latter findings were interpreted under a joint framework of technology acceptance theory and the diffusion of innovation. From this, we drew key insights, which were presented alongside a discussion of the results.
Source: Aerospace
Language: English
Subfield: Global and Planetary Change
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,896
Funder: Innovate UK
OpenAlex ID: W4409442120