Airbus' Unwavering Commitment to Hydrogen-Powered Flight
Key Ideas
  • Airbus reaffirms dedication to bringing a commercially viable hydrogen aircraft to market despite delays, with ongoing progress on a down-selected design.
  • The latest concept involves a hydrogen-powered aircraft powered by four 2-megawatt electric propulsion systems using liquid hydrogen fuel cells.
  • Airbus will focus on advancing storage, distribution, and propulsion systems, as well as advocating for the regulatory framework for hydrogen-powered aircraft.
  • The ZEROe project experienced delays due to slower progress on key enablers, but Airbus remains optimistic about the potential of hydrogen fuel cells in revolutionizing air transport.
Airbus has reaffirmed its commitment to developing a commercially viable hydrogen aircraft, unveiling an updated fuel-cell-powered airliner concept at its 2025 Summit. Despite delays that might push the entry into service by up to a decade, Airbus remains resolute in its dedication to hydrogen-powered flight. The latest concept involves a hydrogen-powered aircraft with four 2-megawatt electric propulsion systems fueled by liquid hydrogen fuel cells. Ongoing testing and refinement of the down-selected configuration aim to achieve the necessary power density for a commercial aircraft. The company plans to focus on advancing storage, distribution, and propulsion systems while advocating for the regulatory framework required for hydrogen-powered flights. The ZEROe project, initiated in 2020, explored various concepts before zeroing in on hydrogen combustion and fuel cell options. Notably, the successful testing of a 1.2 megawatt fuel cell for large-scale aircraft was a significant milestone achieved in late 2023. While delays have affected the project timeline, Airbus sees the potential of hydrogen fuel cells to revolutionize air transport in the long term. Despite challenges faced in key enablers and technological maturity, Airbus is optimistic about the future of hydrogen-powered flight and the sustainability it can bring to the aviation industry.
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