The Rolls-Royce AE2100 Hydrogen Test at Boscombe Down (Credits: Steve M Smith FBIPP)

Low-cost airline easyJet and aerospace manufacturer Rolls-Royce said they have powered a concept aircraft engine with hydrogen in a world-first.

The companies claimed the ground test was a ‘major step’ towardsproving that hydrogen could be a zero-carbon aviation fuel.

The test took place at the Ministry of Defence’s Boscombe Down site in Amesbury, Wiltshire.

EasyJet and Rolls-Royce formed a partnership in July with the aim of demonstrating that hydrogen could be used in a range of aircraft from the mid-2030s onwards.

Both companies have pledged to reach net zero for carbon emissions by 2050.

EasyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren described the test as ‘a real success for our partnership team’.

He went on: ‘We are committed to continuing to support this ground-breaking research because hydrogen offers great possibilities for a range of aircraft, including easyJet-sized aircraft.

‘That will be a huge step forward in meeting the challenge of net zero by 2050.’

The only waste product from using hydrogen as a fuel is water.