Airbus highlights hydrogen future for commercial air travel
TOULOUSE, France - International aviation giant Airbus provided an update on its long-term aviation roadmap at the 2025 Airbus Summit in Tolouse, France, detailing plans for a next-generation single-aisle aircraft expected to enter service in the latter half of the 2030s. The company also revised its ZEROe project roadmap, aimed at advancing hydrogen-powered flight technology.
Airbus reaffirmed its commitment to developing a commercially viable hydrogen-powered aircraft, emphasizing fully electric, fuel-cell propulsion as the most promising approach after years of research.
"Hydrogen is at the heart of our commitment to decarbonize aviation," said Bruno Fichefeux, Airbus head of future programs. "While we've adjusted our roadmap, our dedication to hydrogen-powered flight is unwavering. Just as we saw in the automotive sector, fully electric aircraft powered by hydrogen fuel cells have the potential in the longer term to revolutionize air transport for the better, complementing the sustainable aviation fuel pathway."
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Electric propulsion
The company showcased a notional concept of a hydrogen aircraft powered by four 2-megawatt electric propulsion engines, each driven by a fuel cell system that converts hydrogen and oxygen into electrical energy. Two liquid hydrogen tanks would support the system. Further testing will refine the concept, focusing on hydrogen storage, distribution, and propulsion systems.
“Over the last five years, we have explored multiple hydrogen-propulsion concepts before selecting this fully electric concept,” said Glenn Llewellyn, head of the ZEROe project. “We are confident it could provide the necessary power density for a hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft and could evolve as we mature the technology. In the coming years, we will concentrate on advancing the storage, distribution and propulsion systems, while also advocating for the regulatory framework needed to ensure these aircraft can take flight.”
In 2023, Airbus demonstrated a 1.2-megawatt hydrogen propulsion system, followed by end-to-end testing in 2024 of an integrated fuel cell stack, electric motors, gearboxes, inverters, and heat exchangers. To address hydrogen handling and distribution challenges in flight, Airbus collaborated with Air Liquide Advanced Technologies to develop the Liquid Hydrogen BreadBoard (LH2BB) in Grenoble, France. Ground testing of the system is planned for 2027 at the Electric Aircraft System Test House in Munich.
Beyond technological advancements, Airbus is working to establish a hydrogen aviation economy and regulatory framework, which the company views as critical to scaling hydrogen-powered flight.
Jamie Whitney
Jamie Whitney joined the staff of Military & Aerospace Electronics and Intelligent Aerospace. He brings seven years of print newspaper experience to the aerospace and defense electronics industry.
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