Airbus is pushing back its hydrogen-powered airliner ambitions by up to a decade while shifting focus to immediate advancements in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) engine testing for its next-generation single-aisle aircraft.
Under its ZEROe initiative, Airbus initially planned to introduce a 100-seat hydrogen-powered aircraft by the mid-2030s, leveraging an Airbus A380 as a flying testbed. However, reports from the French workers' union, Force Ouvrière, indicate that Airbus is cutting ZEROe funding by 25%, canceling certain subprojects, and scrapping plans for an A380 fuel cell powertrain test. The decision follows a late 2024 review that highlighted slower-than-expected progress in hydrogen infrastructure, production, and regulatory frameworks.
Despite this delay, Airbus maintains its commitment to hydrogen aviation. In a statement to Aviation Week, Airbus reaffirmed its "goal of bringing a commercially viable, fully electric hydrogen-powered aircraft to market" and emphasized the necessity for global collaboration to develop a hydrogen ecosystem. However, the company acknowledges that scaling renewable hydrogen production remains a significant challenge.
While Airbus sees these hurdles as setbacks, HYSKY Society recognized early on that infrastructure and clean hydrogen production would be key challenges. This foresight led to our collaboration with the H2Hubs and the launch of the H2Hub Summit, designed to bring industry leaders together and accelerate solutions. By fostering these partnerships, we aim to ensure the hydrogen aviation ecosystem develops as efficiently as possible.
Learn more about the H2Hub Summit here: https://www.hysky.org/h2hubs.
Hints of Airbus’ shift away from immediate hydrogen development surfaced in December 2024 when the latest Clean Aviation research funding phase excluded hydrogen flight testing. Instead, Airbus is prioritizing multiple SAF-based propulsion concepts, including flight tests for both unducted open-fan and ducted turbofan engines to determine the optimal technology for the next-generation A320neo successor.
The Clean Aviation initiative, supported by the European Commission, will focus first on flight testing an open-fan engine mounted on an A380’s inner pylon, followed by a ducted engine test using the same pylon. Potential ducted engine candidates include a scaled-down Rolls-Royce UltraFan or a hybrid-electric-enhanced variant of Pratt & Whitney’s PW1100G, under the SWITCH project. Both projects involve leading aerospace firms such as RTX, MTU Aero Engines, GKN Aerospace, and Collins Aerospace.
While Clean Aviation director Axel Klein confirmed that initial SAF-based engine tests will proceed first, future hydrogen-related projects remain on the table. The Clean Aviation initiative has tentatively scheduled major hydrogen aircraft development under its fourth funding call in 2025, with additional ground testing set for 2026 and potential flight demonstrations in later phases.
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(Top image: Credit — Airbus)
FAQ: Hydrogen Aviation & Airbus’ ZEROe Program
1. Why is Airbus delaying its hydrogen-powered aircraft plans?
Airbus cites slow progress in hydrogen infrastructure, production, and regulatory developments as key reasons for the delay.
2. Is Airbus abandoning hydrogen aviation completely?
No, Airbus remains committed to hydrogen but is focusing on more immediate SAF-based propulsion technologies.
3. What is the Airbus ZEROe initiative?
ZEROe is Airbus’ hydrogen-powered aircraft development program aimed at achieving zero-emission aviation.
4. What alternative technologies is Airbus exploring?
Airbus is testing open-fan and ducted SAF engines as potential powerplants for future single-aisle aircraft.
5. What is the Clean Aviation initiative?
A European public-private partnership funding aerospace projects focused on decarbonization.
6. What companies are involved in Airbus’ SAF engine testing?
Key players include GE Aerospace, Safran (CFM International), Rolls-Royce, Pratt & Whitney, Collins Aerospace, MTU Aero Engines, and GKN Aerospace.
7. When will Airbus resume hydrogen flight testing?
Ground tests are planned for 2026, with potential flight tests under later Clean Aviation funding calls.
8. What role does sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) play in Airbus’ strategy?
SAF serves as a bridge technology while hydrogen aviation infrastructure develops.
9. How does Airbus’ delay impact global hydrogen aviation efforts?
It underscores the challenges of scaling hydrogen aviation and highlights the need for broader industry collaboration.
10. What is the status of the Airbus A380 hydrogen testbed?
Airbus has canceled plans to flight test a hydrogen fuel cell powertrain on the A380.
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