The European aircraft manufacturer Airbus will not bring its hydrogen aircraft, originally planned for 2035, to series production as planned. Previous plans as part of the so-called "zero-e" program have been postponed and a new timetable is currently uncertain. This means that an ambitious project of the aviation industry has been postponed by at least five to ten years.
Back in 2020, Airbus presented the "zero-e" program, which included several concepts for hydrogen-powered aircraft. The goal was to begin initial test flights around 2027 and to develop a market-ready hydrogen-powered passenger aircraft by 2035. As part of these efforts, the manufacturer wanted to convert a GE Passport business jet engine to hydrogen and test it on a modified A380.
But these plans have now been scrapped. Airbus confirmed on Friday evening that the company would have to rethink its development strategy. The original schedule was no longer realistic, so work on the planned system tests was halted for the time being.
Reasons for the delay
The decision does not come as a complete surprise. In recent months, industry insiders had already expressed doubts as to whether the project could be implemented at the envisaged speed.
According to aviation experts, there are several challenges that make the development of a hydrogen aircraft significantly more difficult:
- Technological barriers: Hydrogen as an energy source requires special tank systems and a completely new aircraft architecture. Storing the gas at extremely low temperatures is a major challenge.
- Infrastructure problems: Airports would have to be extensively converted in order to safely store hydrogen and refuel aircraft with it.
- Lack of economic efficiency: To date, the production and distribution of hydrogen in the aviation industry has been associated with high costs, which makes its economic use difficult.
According to the French trade union Force Ouvrière, the timeline will be delayed by at least five to ten years. Airbus itself has not yet announced a new date for the possible start of the program.
Impact on the industry
The delay in the project has far-reaching consequences for the aviation industry. Airbus had already secured several industrial partners for the "zero-e" program, who may now have to reassess their investments.
Competitors such as Boeing or smaller aviation companies have so far been more cautious in developing hydrogen-powered aircraft and have instead relied on other propulsion concepts. Airbus' decision could now lead to a greater focus on alternative technologies.
At the same time, the postponement means that Airbus can focus its development resources on other projects. The manufacturer is currently working intensively on the further development of engines for the next generation of medium- and long-haul aircraft.
future prospects
Although the "zero-e" program is on hold for the time being, Airbus is unlikely to give up on the topic of hydrogen completely. The manufacturer has repeatedly stressed that alternative propulsion concepts will play a role in aviation in the long term.
Experts believe that Airbus may revise the approach and continue in smaller steps. This could initially include hybrid solutions in which hydrogen technology is tested in conjunction with conventional engines.
The development remains exciting for the industry. While Airbus postpones its hydrogen plans, other manufacturers or start-ups could move forward with their own concepts.
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