Airbus confident of delivering hydrogen-powered aircraft by 2035 as it looks to address climate change

European planemaker is likely to produce a short or medium-range aircraft at first, and then scale up, CEO Guillaume Faury says

Airbus will also research an ‘extra performance wing’ capable of changing shape during flight to secure greater efficiencies and reduce emissions

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Airbus is betting on hydrogen-powered aircraft to address climate change. Photo: AFP

Published: 2:58pm, 23 Sep 2021Updated: 9:25pm, 23 Sep 2021

Airbus is growing increasingly confident it can build a hydrogen-powered plane that is ready to enter service by its target date of 2035.

The European planemaker is likely to produce short or medium-range aircraft at first, and then scale up, chief executive officer Guillaume Faury said on Wednesday. Engine makers have significantly changed their views, “which is very positive”, he said on a panel at a sustainability event in Toulouse, France.

“Every day we become more confident,” Faury said in a Bloomberg Television interview from the event. “We need to have a plane, we need to have the right fuels, the hydrogen available in the right quantities at the right time, and we need the regulations to be ready.”

The remarks highlight Airbus’ bet on hydrogen to address climate change, despite the technological challenges. Aside from gaining regulatory approval for a new product architecture, the shift will require fitting airports with equipment, and a massive increase in sustainably generated fuel. Airbus is likely to start with smaller aircraft, Faury said.

Cathay Pacific’s newest aircraft, the Airbus A321neo, is unveiled on August 3, 2021, ahead of its debut commercial flight. Photo: Danny Lee

Given the challenges, it’s not clear how quickly hydrogen can make an impact on aviation emissions. Some in the industry, including Boeing CEO David Calhoun, contend a hydrogen-powered jetliner comparable to modern-day narrow-bodies is decades away.