At the Airbus Summit 2025 (24-25 March), the European giant provided an update on its roadmap to pioneer the future of commercial aviation for decades to come, outlining plans for a next-generation single-aisle aircraft that could enter service in the second half of the 2030s, as well as its revised ZEROe roadmap to mature technologies associated with hydrogen-powered flight.

At the Summit, Airbus reaffirmed its commitment to bringing a commercially viable hydrogen aircraft to the market, and presented some of the key technology elements that will enable the advent of a fully electric commercial aircraft powered by fuel cells; a path that stands out as the most promising, following years of research into hydrogen aviation.

Bruno Fichefeux, Head of Future Programmes at Airbus, said: “Hydrogen is at the heart of our commitment to decarbonising aviation. Although we have changed our roadmap, our commitment to hydrogen-powered flight is unwavering. Just as we have seen in the automotive sector, fully electric aircraft powered by hydrogen fuel cells have the long-term potential to revolutionise air travel for the better, complementing the sustainable aviation fuel pathway". These technologies were notably showcased as part of a new notional concept for a hydrogen aircraft powered by four 2-megawatt electric propulsion engines, each driven by a fuel cell system that converts hydrogen and oxygen into electrical energy. The four fuel cell systems would be powered by two tanks of liquid hydrogen. This concept will continue to be refined over the coming years as further testing helps mature the technologies associated with hydrogen storage and distribution, as well as the propulsion systems.

Glenn Llewellyn, Airbus’ ZEROe project manager, echoed this sentiment, adding: “We have been exploring several hydrogen propulsion concepts over the past five years, before selecting this all-electric one. We are confident it could deliver the power density needed for a hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft, and it could evolve as we mature the technology. Over the next few years, we will focus on advancing the storage, distribution and propulsion systems, while also supporting the regulatory framework needed to ensure these aircraft can take to the skies".

In 2023, Airbus successfully demonstrated a 1.2 MW hydrogen propulsion system, and in 2024, end-to-end testing of an integrated fuel cell stack, electric motors, gearboxes, inverters and heat exchangers was completed. To address the challenges of handling and distributing liquid hydrogen in flight, Airbus, in collaboration with Air Liquide Advanced Technologies, developed the Liquid Hydrogen BreadBoard (LH2BB) in Grenoble, France. Integrated ground testing is planned for 2027 at the Electric Aircraft System Test House in Munich, combining the propulsion bench and hydrogen distribution system for full system validation.

In addition to aviation technologies, Airbus will continue to promote the emergence of a hydrogen-based aviation economy and related regulatory framework, which are also essential factors for the advent of large-scale hydrogen-powered flight.