Why Airbus wants to build an ecosystem for hydrogen-powered flight

In this episode, we talk to Karine Guenan, Vice President of ZEROe ecosystem at Airbus, who shares insights into Airbus’s ambitious plans to bring hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft to market by 2035 and the unprecedented ecosystem development required to make this vision a reality.
Guenan discusses:

1. The technical challenges of developing hydrogen-powered aircraft, including the need for cryogenic storage at -253° C and specially designed insulated tanks, contrasting with traditional jet fuel storage in aircraft wings.
2. Airbus’s exploration of two potential technological platforms - fuel cell propulsion and direct hydrogen combustion - aimed at serving the 100-200 seat market with ranges of 1,000-2,000 nautical miles.
3. The extensive ecosystem partnerships being built worldwide, including collaborations with airports (like Gatwick), energy suppliers (like Air Products), airlines (like easyJet), and lessors (like Avalon) to create the infrastructure needed for hydrogen-powered aviation.
4. The advantages of hydrogen as a zero-emission fuel source when produced from renewable energy, including its potential to reduce both CO2 and non-CO2 emissions.
5. The safety considerations around hydrogen aviation, emphasising that hydrogen is non-toxic and actually dissipates more quickly than conventional fuels in case of leakage.

Throughout the conversation, Guenan emphasises that while the 2035 target for commercial entry into service is ambitious, it’s achievable through unprecedented collaboration across the aviation industry and beyond. She notes that while hydrogen aircraft will have a marginal impact by 2050, they represent a crucial long-term solution for aviation’s decarbonisation challenge.

Looking to the future, Guenan advocates for a multi-pronged approach to aviation sustainability, combining immediate solutions like sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) with longer-term transformative technologies like hydrogen-powered aircraft.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Jane Ashton, Director of Sustainability at easyJet. Check it out here. 

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to [email protected]. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

ZEROe - Airbus
First ZEROe engine fuel cell successfully powers on - AGN
Airbus partners with Avolon to explore future of hydrogen aviation - Fuel Cells Works
Airbus to begin hydrogen fuel feasibility studies with North American airports - Flight Global