Airbus unveils plans for zero-emission hydrogen-powered jets

Aerospace company Airbus has predicted that the first wave of carbon-neutral jets will take flight by 2035, as it unveiled computer-generated images of the hydrogen-powered machines of tomorrow.

The European corporation released images of three zero-emission concepts on Monday, which rely on hydrogen as their primary source of fuel.

Airbus announced that the jets, which blend the wings into the body for a slicker, more streamlined model, would be powered by a modified gas-turbine engine powered by hydrogen through combustion.

Depending on the model, the final product would be able to carry as many as 200 passengers, with the smallest of the three being able to travel up to 1,000 nautical miles before refuelling, making it optimal for short-distance trips.

Guillaume Faury, the CEO of Airbus, said: “The concepts offer the world a glimpse of our ambition to drive a bold vision for the future of zero-emission flight."

“I strongly believe that the use of hydrogen — both in synthetic fuels and as a primary power source for commercial aircraft — has the potential to significantly reduce aviation's climate impact.

"This is a historic moment for the commercial aviation sector as a whole and we intend to play a leading role in the most important transition this industry has ever seen."

The company claims that making the switch to hydrogen-based aircraft could reduce the carbon footprint of the aviation industry by as much as 50%.

Hydrogen was chosen due to the fact the only product outcome of burning hydrogen is water vapour, making it a safe alternative for other transport industries in the future.

The news comes three weeks after Dutch flagship carrier KLM announced its own aircraft of the future, in a partnership with the Delft University of Technology.

This global aviation industry has vowed to cut its carbon emissions by 50% on their 2005 levels, marking a shift in the sector's plans to shift towards a more renewable model.

The European Commission is also considering adding regulations that require the aviation industry to meet certain renewable targets to reduce the damage caused to the environment by aeroplanes and air travel.

Without intervention, it is forecast the consumption of renewable fuel will increase from 0.05% to just 2.8% by 2050, it said in a recent statement.

According to the EC, the aviation industry accounts for as much as 2% of the world's carbon emissions.

Airbus vice president for the project, Glenn Llewellyn, said the project may require government support to refine the design and aid in the construction of the jets.

The true costs of such an undertaking remain unknown, with Mr Llewellyn remarking he expects it to cost "billions."

They hope the first demonstration prototypes of the project will be airborne by 2025, with full-scale concepts taking to the skies later in the decade.

EasyJet CEO Johan Lundgren has announced his support for Airbus and this project.

In a statement, he said: “EasyJet remains absolutely committed to more sustainable flying and we know that technology is where the answer lies for the industry.”

The announcement comes after a rough year for the aerospace company, as the entire European aviation industry suffered massive losses due to heavy restrictions on travel over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Airbus reported a €1.9 billion loss compared to a €1.2 billion profit in the same margin last year, with consolidated expenses dropping by 39% to €18.9 billion.

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