At the 2025 Airbus Summit, the aerospace giant unveiled its forward-looking plans to revolutionize the commercial aviation industry. Airbus revealed its vision for a next-generation single-aisle aircraft, targeting entry into service by the second half of the 2030s. Additionally, the company shared an updated roadmap for its ZEROe project, focusing on the development of cutting-edge hydrogen-powered flight technology.

In a major reaffirmation of its commitment to sustainable aviation, Airbus underscored its dedication to launching a hydrogen-powered aircraft that is commercially viable. The summit also highlighted several technological breakthroughs that are critical for advancing toward a fully electric, fuel-cell-powered commercial aircraft. This pathway, which has gained momentum after years of research, promises to be the most viable solution for achieving a greener, more sustainable aviation future.

Airbus Head of Future Programmes Bruno Fichefeux says, “Hydrogen is at the heart of our commitment to decarbonise aviation. 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 revolutionise air transport for the better, complementing the sustainable aviation fuel pathway.”

At the 2025 Airbus Summit, the company presented an exciting new concept for a hydrogen-powered aircraft, marking a significant step toward the future of sustainable aviation. The conceptual design features four 2-megawatt electric propulsion engines, each powered by advanced fuel cells that transform hydrogen and oxygen into clean electrical energy. These propulsion systems would be fueled by two liquid hydrogen tanks, showcasing Airbus’ commitment to pioneering eco-friendly aviation solutions.

This innovative concept is still in its early stages and will be refined over the coming years. Future tests will focus on enhancing hydrogen storage and distribution technologies, as well as improving propulsion systems, with the goal of making hydrogen-powered flight a viable option in the near future. Airbus continues to drive forward its vision for a cleaner, greener aviation industry.

Airbus Head of the ZEROe Project, Glenn Llewellyn adds, “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. 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.”

Airbus made remarkable progress in the development of hydrogen-powered aviation in 2023, successfully demonstrating a 1.2MW hydrogen-propulsion system, setting the stage for future breakthroughs. The following year, the company completed comprehensive testing of an integrated system, including a fuel cell stack, electric motors, gearboxes, inverters, and heat exchangers, inching closer to its goal of sustainable aviation.

In collaboration with Air Liquide Advanced Technologies, Airbus also tackled the challenges of liquid hydrogen handling and distribution in flight. Together, they developed the Liquid Hydrogen BreadBoard (LH2BB) in Grenoble, France, to address the complexities of safely storing and distributing liquid hydrogen during operations. To further advance these efforts, Airbus is planning integrated ground tests in 2027 at the Electric Aircraft System Test House in Munich, combining propulsion and hydrogen distribution systems for thorough validation.

Beyond the technical innovations, Airbus is committed to cultivating a hydrogen aviation ecosystem, including the development of a regulatory framework essential for scaling hydrogen flight. These efforts are vital for bringing hydrogen-powered aviation to the mainstream in the years ahead.

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