Aerospace giant Airbus has reaffirmed its dedication to developing hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft, selecting fuel cell technology as the preferred propulsion method for its future zero-emission planes.

The announcement, made at the 2025 Airbus Summit, follows a recent adjustment to Airbus’ timeline for hydrogen aircraft development, pushing back its original 2035 target due to slower-than-expected advancements in hydrogen infrastructure and technologies.

Hydrogen: The Future of Aviation?

Airbus remains firm in its belief that hydrogen is key to aviation decarbonization.

“Hydrogen is at the heart of our commitment to decarbonize aviation. While we’ve adjusted our roadmap, our dedication to hydrogen-powered flight is unwavering,” said Bruno Fichefeux, Airbus Head of Future Programmes.

He noted that hydrogen fuel cells, already in use in the automotive sector, have the potential to revolutionize air transport in the long term, working alongside sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) to achieve net-zero aviation goals.

The aviation industry currently accounts for 2-3% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and with air travel demand projected to rise significantly, reducing emissions is critical. Industry players are exploring multiple solutions, including:

Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) – A near-term solution that can be used in existing aircraft engines.
Electric propulsion – Suitable for short-haul flights but currently limited by battery technology.
Hydrogen-powered aircraft – A long-term solution with zero CO₂ emissions when produced from renewable energy sources.

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Fuel Cells vs. Hydrogen Combustion: Airbus Makes Its Choice

In 2020, Airbus launched its ZEROe program, exploring two hydrogen propulsion technologies:

Hydrogen combustion, which burns hydrogen in modified jet engines.
Hydrogen fuel cells, which generate electricity to power electric propulsion systems.

Following extensive prototype testing, Airbus has selected hydrogen fuel cells as the most promising option. However, the company has not ruled out future investments in hydrogen combustion.

How Will Airbus' Hydrogen Aircraft Work?

Electric Propeller Propulsion – The aircraft will use an electric propulsion system powered by hydrogen fuel cells.
Fuel Cell Technology – Hydrogen and oxygen react in the fuel cells to generate electricity, producing only water as a byproduct.
Power Output – The aircraft will feature four 2-megawatt electric engines, each powered by its own fuel cell system.
Liquid Hydrogen Storage – The hydrogen fuel will be stored in cryogenic tanks onboard.

Glenn Llewellyn, Airbus Head of the ZEROe Project, emphasized the potential of fuel cell technology:

“Over the last five years, we have explored multiple hydrogen-propulsion concepts, before down-selecting this fully electric concept. We are confident it could provide the necessary power density for a hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft and could evolve as we mature the technology.”

What’s Next? The Road to Hydrogen Aviation

As Airbus moves forward, the next steps include:

Advancing hydrogen storage, distribution, and propulsion systems.
Developing regulatory frameworks to enable hydrogen-powered aircraft certification.
Strengthening partnerships with governments and industry stakeholders to build the necessary hydrogen ecosystem.

The Bigger Picture: A Transforming Industry

Airbus’ commitment to hydrogen-powered aircraft underscores a broader shift in the aviation industry toward cleaner technologies. However, challenges remain, particularly in developing hydrogen production, storage, and airport refueling infrastructure at a commercial scale.

With industry players racing to meet net-zero targets by 2050, will Airbus lead the charge in bringing hydrogen aviation to reality?

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