At the prestigious Airbus Summit 2025 in Toulouse, Airbus presented its ambitious strategy for the future of commercial aviation. The meeting outlined bold plans for the introduction of a new generation of narrow-body aircraft that could enter service around 2035. At the same time, an innovative project was presented: a hydrogen-powered aircraft.
Hydrogen as the key to decarbonising aviation
During the conference, Airbus firmly reaffirmed its commitment to creating a commercially viable hydrogen aircraft. The company showcased key technologies that could contribute to an all-electric fuel cell-powered aircraft. After years of intensive research into the use of hydrogen in aviation, this direction was seen as the most promising and groundbreaking for the entire industry. Bruno Fichefeux, head of Airbus’ forward-looking programmes, emphasised the importance of hydrogen in the decarbonisation strategy for aviation: “Hydrogen is at the heart of our commitment to reduce emissions in aviation. As in the automotive sector, all-electric fuel cell-powered aircraft have the potential to revolutionise air transport in the long term.”
Hydrogen-powered aircraft
One of the highlights presented at the summit was the innovative concept of a hydrogen aircraft equipped with four powerful electric motors of 2 MW each. These engines will be powered by advanced fuel cells that convert hydrogen and oxygen into electricity. The power supply for these state-of-the-art systems will be provided by two tanks of liquid hydrogen, which will significantly improve operational efficiency and reduce emissions to zero. The concept will be systematically developed and further tests will refine the technologies involved in hydrogen storage and distribution and improve the propulsion systems. Glenn Llewellyn, head of the ZEROe project, added: “We have been exploring various hydrogen propulsion concepts for the past five years before deciding on this all-electric model. We are confident that it will provide adequate power for a commercial aircraft and will evolve as the technology develops. In the coming years, we will focus on intensively improving the storage, distribution and propulsion systems, as well as supporting the necessary regulations to bring these aircraft into service.”
Hydrogen-powered aircraft – key developments and future testing
Airbus has already achieved impressive milestones in the development of hydrogen technology. In 2023, the company successfully tested a 1.2MW hydrogen propulsion system, and in 2024 it completed comprehensive tests including fuel cells, electric motors, transmissions, inverters and heat exchangers. To address the enormous challenges of handling liquid hydrogen in flight, Airbus, in collaboration with Air Liquide Advanced Technologies, has developed a state-of-the-art Liquid Hydrogen BreadBoard (LH2BB) test platform in Grenoble. Integrated ground tests are scheduled for 2027 at the Electric Aircraft System Test House in Munich. It is there that the propulsion stand and the hydrogen distribution system will be combined, allowing the entire system to be comprehensively validated and prepared for future commercial aviation applications.
Supporting the hydrogen economy and regulation
In addition to the dynamic development of aviation technology, Airbus is actively supporting the emergence of a strong hydrogen economy and the implementation of relevant regulations. Both of these are key to the widespread uptake of hydrogen-powered flight on a large scale and can lay the foundation for future green aviation. Working with governments, international organisations and the private sector, the aim is to create the infrastructure necessary for the mass use of hydrogen as the aviation fuel of the future.
Source: Airbus
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