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Airbus
Aerospace giant Airbus has revealed plans for what it hailed as the first zero-emission commercial jet.
It said its hydrogen-powered airliners could be in service by 2035.
Airbus Chief Executive Officer Guillaume Faury said the three ZEROe concept designs marked “a historic moment” for the commercial aviation industry. “
The use of hydrogen has “the potential to significantly reduce the climate impact of aviation,” he added.
However, analysts note that this is not the first time hydrogen has been touted as the savior of modern aviation.
The history of fuel dates back to the days of airships in the early 1900s, but the Hindenburg disaster in 1937 ended that era.
More recently, from 2000 to 2002, Airbus participated in the EU-funded Cryoplane project, which studied the feasibility of a liquid hydrogen aircraft.
After that, the idea fell out of favor again, until now.
‘Decisive action’
Presenting its latest plans, Airbus said its turbofan design could carry up to 200 passengers over 2,000 miles, while a turboprop concept would have 50% less capacity and range.
A third “combined wing body” aircraft was the most striking of the three designs.
All three aircraft would be powered by modified gas turbine engines to burn liquid hydrogen and by hydrogen fuel cells to generate electrical power.
However, Airbus conceded that for the idea to work, airports would have to invest large sums of money in refueling infrastructure.
“The transition to hydrogen, as the primary power source for these concept aircraft, will require decisive action from the entire aviation ecosystem,” said Mr. Faury.
“Together with the support of the government and industrial partners, we can rise to this challenge to scale up renewable energy and hydrogen for the sustainable future of the aviation industry.”
The new Airbus designs are the fruit of a joint research project Airbus launched with EasyJet last year to consider hybrid and electric aircraft.
Airline CEO Johan Lundgren said: “EasyJet remains absolutely committed to more sustainable flights and we know that technology is where the answer is for the industry.”
