Airbus Set to Launch Revolutionary ZEROe Hydrogen-Powered Aircraft by 2028
Airbus is advancing its ambitious ZEROe project, aiming to revolutionize air travel with hydrogen-powered aircraft. The aerospace giant’s CEO, Guillaume Faury, announced plans to launch the ZEROe program by 2028, with a focus on two cutting-edge hydrogen technologies. This initiative underscores Airbus’s commitment to sustainability and innovation in aviation.
The ZEROe project, first unveiled in September 2020, explores the potential of liquid hydrogen and hydrogen fuel cells to create a greener propulsion system. These technologies promise to significantly reduce aviation’s carbon footprint by directly burning liquid hydrogen or converting hydrogen into electricity for electric propulsion.
In parallel, Airbus is also developing the Next Generation Single Aisle (NGSA) aircraft as the successor to its best-selling A320neo family. The new aircraft is expected to enter service in the mid-to-late 2030s, marking a new era for single-aisle aviation.
During Airbus’s annual press conference, Faury emphasized the comprehensive approach required to bring the ZEROe aircraft to market. Beyond the technological advancements, regulatory frameworks, certification standards, and the development of a hydrogen infrastructure at airports are critical components that need to be addressed. The aim is to ensure the availability of green hydrogen at base airports, facilitating the adoption of hydrogen-powered aircraft by airlines.
The ZEROe program’s launch timeline is set for the end of this decade, with an entry-into-service (EIS) target of 2035. This ambitious timeline reflects Airbus’s dedication to overcoming the challenges of certification and infrastructure, in collaboration with other aviation industry stakeholders.
As Airbus prepares for the future with the ZEROe and NGSA projects, the company is laying the groundwork for a more sustainable and innovative aviation industry, poised to reduce the environmental impact of air travel significantly.
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, simpleflying.com