Airbus’ first hydrogen-powered aircraft was due to enter service in 2035. Three different variants were presented to the public. Yet, none will be built as the Airbus management in Toulouse has announced the end of the current H2 journey and its postponement to an uncertain later date. The industry leader’s full stop is a serious setback for the entire industry and aviation’s ambitions to fight global warming. Airbus CEO, Guillaume Faury did not give a new timeline for the project.
At the Hydrogen Technology Expo trade fair in Hamburg at the end of OCT24, less than six months ago, Airbus managers announced the approaching age of hydrogen aviation. Surrounded by eye-catching aircraft models, they promoted the European aircraft manufacturer’s role as the world’s pioneer in clean aviation. The only open question then was which of the three Airbus variants on display would ultimately be selected and constructed by the frame maker.
Full stop – until further notice
Yesterday (09FEB25), management announced an emergency stop. The construction of a hydrogen Airbus will be delayed by a decade, leading executives told the French trade union, Force Ouvrière. At the same time, they announced plans to cut H2 R&D spending by 25%.
“Hydrogen has the potential to be a transformative energy source for aviation,” Airbus declared in a statement. “However, we recognize that developing a hydrogen ecosystem – including production, ground infrastructure, supply, distribution and regulatory frameworks – is a huge challenge requiring global collaboration and investment.”
SAF demand will soar
In terms of environmental consequences, the European frame maker acknowledged that a hydrogen-powered plane – most likely a turboprop variant accommodating 100 passengers – would only make a marginal contribution to the sector’s goal to reach net zero emissions by 2050. But it would pave the way for greater adoption of H2 powered aircraft in future, management admitted.
The ZEROe project has been key for Airbus in recent years to take the lead in decarbonizing aviation. After its postponement by ten or more years, airlines have no choice but to rely on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to lower their greenhouse gas emissions. However, production of SAF is very limited and difficult to scale due to a lack of supply. Plus, it is 3 to 4 times more expensive than conventional kerosene.
Now others might blaze the greentrail
Against this backdrop, the Net Zero target set by the airline association, IATA, for passenger and cargo traffic in 2050, is unlikely to be achievable. It will now depend on the pioneering work of up-and-coming niche providers to develop electric and/or hydrogen-powered aircraft to market maturity and to create the regulatory, infrastructural and operational conditions for this. There are already promising newcomers that could exploit this niche. For example, the e-powered “Alice” passenger and cargo model produced by the Israeli-U.S. company, Eviation Aircraft, which DHL and United Airlines have already ordered, the “Hy4” from German provider, H2FLY or APUS Zero Emission’s built “Mira” model, and last but not least the H2 powered “Integral E” from French developer, AURO AERO.
Nothing has been heard from Boeing on this subject. The U.S. manufacturer, which is struggling with a multitude of problems, has no plans to develop hydrogen or electric powered aircraft. At least not so far.
