Airbus Unveils Updated Hydrogen Aircraft Project at 2025 Summit
Key Ideas
  • Airbus presented a revised ZEROe project plan at the 2025 Summit, focusing on hydrogen-powered flight technologies for commercial aircraft.
  • The project involves an innovative concept of a hydrogen aircraft with four 2-megawatt electric engines powered by fuel cell systems.
  • The completion of a 1.2-megawatt hydrogen fuel cell system was announced with a shift in the first test flight timeline to the second half of the 2030s.
  • Airbus is committed to advancing storage, distribution, and propulsion systems for hydrogen-powered flight, emphasizing the importance of decarbonizing aviation.
During the 2025 Airbus Summit, the aircraft manufacturer provided an update on its future aviation technologies, particularly focusing on hydrogen-powered flight technologies for commercial aircraft. Airbus unveiled a revised ZEROe project plan that features a new concept of a hydrogen aircraft with four 2-megawatt electric engines powered by fuel cell systems drawing liquid hydrogen from two tanks. The project, initially aiming for a test flight in 2026, has now been rescheduled for the second half of the 2030s, with integrated ground testing planned for 2027 in Munich. Airbus expressed confidence in the power density of this fully electric concept for hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft. The company remains dedicated to advancing storage, distribution, and propulsion systems for hydrogen aircraft and advocating for a supportive regulatory framework. Despite the adjusted roadmap, Airbus underlined its unwavering commitment to hydrogen-powered flight as a crucial step towards decarbonizing aviation. The Head of Future Programmes at Airbus highlighted the potential of fully electric aircraft powered by hydrogen fuel cells to revolutionize air transport and complement sustainable aviation fuel initiatives. Additionally, Airbus is engaged in various projects related to fuel cell aviation, collaborating with partners such as the Hydrogen in Aviation alliance, BMW, Quantinuum, STMicroelectronics, and Linde to advance hydrogen infrastructure and technology in the aviation sector.
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