At the 2025 Airbus Summit, Airbus provided an update on its plans for hydrogen-powered aviation, announcing a revised roadmap for its ZEROe project and unveiling key technological advancements toward fuel-cell propulsion. The company confirmed that the first test flight of a hydrogen-powered aircraft has been postponed to the latter half of the 2030s.
Airbus introduced a refined concept for a hydrogen-powered aircraft utilizing four 2-megawatt electric engines. Each engine will be powered by a dedicated fuel cell system, drawing liquid hydrogen from two storage tanks. This approach, the company said, will be further developed in the coming years.
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“Over the last five years, we have explored multiple hydrogen-propulsion concepts, before down-selecting this fully electric concept. We are confident it could provide the necessary power density for a hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft and could evolve as we mature the technology,” said Glenn Llewellyn, Head of the ZEROe Project at Airbus.
The revised timeline marks a delay from Airbus’ initial goal. In early 2023, the company completed a 1.2-megawatt hydrogen fuel cell system, originally intended for a concept aircraft expected to fly by 2026 and enter commercial service by 2035. However, Airbus now plans integrated ground testing of the propulsion and hydrogen distribution system in 2027 at its Electric Aircraft System Test House in Munich, with commercial deployment expected no sooner than the late 2030s.
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“Hydrogen is at the heart of our commitment to decarbonize aviation. While we’ve adjusted our roadmap, our dedication to hydrogen-powered flight is unwavering,” said Bruno Fichefeux, Airbus’ Head of Future Programs. “Just as we saw in the automotive sector, fully electric aircraft powered by hydrogen fuel cells have the potential in the longer term to revolutionize air transport for the better, complementing the sustainable aviation fuel pathway.”
Airbus has been actively engaged in hydrogen-related initiatives, including collaborations with BMW and Quantinuum to enhance fuel cell catalysts and a partnership with STMicroelectronics to develop power electronics. The company is also working with Linde to establish hydrogen infrastructure at airports. Additionally, Airbus is part of the Hydrogen in Aviation alliance, which seeks to promote policy frameworks supporting hydrogen adoption in the sector.
The delay comes amid broader challenges in the emerging electric aviation market. Airbus recently announced a pause in its air taxi development project, following setbacks in the sector that saw startups like Lilium and Volocopter facing financial difficulties. Meanwhile, in China, a consortium of Ehang, JAC Motors, and Guoxian launched an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) joint venture, while Joby Aviation and Virgin Atlantic unveiled a partnership in the space.
Despite the adjusted timeline, Airbus maintains that hydrogen technology remains central to its long-term sustainability goals, positioning the company as a key player in the industry’s transition toward lower-emission air travel.