Airbus boss Guillaume Faury predicts hydrogen technology for airplanes to triumph. In the meantime, even previously skeptical engine manufacturers have changed their minds on this technology, said the manager in Toulouse on Wednesday.

"All the more likely that other manufacturers will join in," he said - without naming its main rival Boeing from the USA. Airbus wants to bring a market-ready passenger aircraft with hydrogen propulsion onto the market by 2035, thereby making CO2-neutral flying possible. “We at Airbus decided to take the bull by the horns,” said Faury. The further Airbus advances on the subject, the more he sees himself strengthened in the decision in favor of hydrogen.

With the goal of CO2 neutrality, Boeing has so far relied on the use of sustainable fuels (Sustainable Aviation Fuel - SAF), for example from biomass in aircraft with conventional propulsion. Faury, on the other hand, sees this only as a temporary solution. Your advantage: These fuels can already be used in conventional aircraft. However, so far they have only been available in small quantities and cost many times more than normal kerosene. Meanwhile, Airbus plans to deliver all new aircraft from its US plant in Mobile, Alabama, using a mix of conventional fuel and SAF. It should start in November. SAF could reduce the CO2 emissions of an aircraft over its entire service life by up to 80 percent, said the Airbus manager responsible for America Jeff Knittel.

When it comes to hydrogen propulsion, Faury also made politicians and other companies responsible. He is becoming more and more confident that the goal of a hydrogen plane can be achieved by 2035. However, the aviation industry cannot cope with all the challenges on its own. In order to actually achieve the goal of CO2-free flying in this way, everyone involved “must be quick together,” said Faury.