Airbus Aims to Develop Hydrogen-Powered Aircraft by 2035, CEO Says

In an exciting update, Airbus is showing growing optimism about its ability to introduce a hydrogen-powered aircraft to the market by the mid-2030s. The company has outlined its plans to determine the best propulsion system for such an aircraft in the coming years.

Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury expressed confidence in this endeavor during an aerospace event held in Washington DC on September 12, stating, “The bottlenecks are no longer in the technology of the plane. We strongly believe that we will be ready by 2035 with a hydrogen plane. The technology will be ready.”

Back in 2020, Airbus unveiled three innovative hydrogen-powered aircraft concepts as part of its ZEROe program, with the goal of launching one of these models by 2035.

Airbus’s commitment to hydrogen-powered aircraft aligns with the industry’s growing interest in harnessing hydrogen as a clean energy source for aviation. Hydrogen combustion produces only water as a byproduct, making it a promising solution for reducing carbon emissions in the aviation sector. While challenges remain, such as the development of hydrogen infrastructure and regulatory standards, Airbus remains optimistic.

Jeffrey Knittel, CEO of Airbus Americas, indicated that several years of evaluation have increased their confidence in hydrogen technology. The crucial decision between a fuel cell system or a direct-burn propulsion system is expected to be made by 2026 or 2027, with production decisions to follow.

However, Airbus emphasizes that its commitment to a hydrogen-powered passenger airliner depends on various external factors, including regulatory standards, infrastructure development, and the availability of affordable green hydrogen produced using renewable energy.

Initial hydrogen-powered aircraft are likely to be smaller in size, and long-range capabilities present a significant challenge due to hydrogen’s lower volumetric energy density compared to jet fuel.

Airbus’s exploration of hydrogen-powered concepts runs concurrently with its work on developing a more conventional jet to replace the A320neo family of aircraft. The company’s ambitious ZEROe program includes aircraft concepts ranging from a blended-wing-body design for up to 200 passengers to a hydrogen-burning gas turbine-powered narrowbody aircraft with a 2,000nm range, as well as a 100-passenger turboprop potentially powered by fuel cells.

As Airbus continues to push the boundaries of aviation innovation, the future of hydrogen-powered aircraft holds the promise of cleaner and more sustainable air travel.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, msn.com, airbus.com, flightglobal.com