Airbus' Strategic Shift: Delaying Hydrogen-Powered Aircraft but Embracing Fuel Cells
Key Ideas
- Airbus postpones hydrogen aircraft but reaffirms commitment to hydrogen for decarbonization.
- Shifts focus to fuel cells as the most promising solution, comparing it to the impact of electric vehicles.
- Despite delays, Airbus continues work on hydrogen propulsion and aims for commercially viable hydrogen aircraft.
- Airbus deems hydrogen-powered aircraft technically feasible but acknowledges the need for competitiveness and market demand.
During Airbus' financial results presentation, CEO Guillaume Faury provided an update on the company's hydrogen aviation plans. While acknowledging a delay in the hydrogen aircraft project, Faury emphasized that Airbus remains committed to hydrogen for decarbonization. The company is now focusing on fuel cells as the most promising solution, similar to the transformative impact of electric vehicles. Although the hydrogen ecosystem is behind schedule, Airbus is progressing with research on hydrogen propulsion and technological advancements. While a hydrogen-powered aircraft is technically feasible, Airbus won't meet its 2035 target due to various challenges. The company plans to address these challenges through sustainable aviation fuels and more energy-efficient planes. Despite scaling down hydrogen-focused teams, Airbus will continue specialized research on fuel cell technology. The company's commitment to hydrogen remains strong, with plans to discuss decarbonization efforts in detail at the upcoming Airbus Summit.