Airbus's ambitious plan to bring hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft to market by 2035 represents one of aviation's boldest moves towards decarbonisation.
In this episode of our 'Sustainability in the Air' podcast, Karine Guenan, Vice President of ZEROe Ecosystem at Airbus, speaks with SimpliFlying's CEO Shashank Nigam about the unprecedented challenges and opportunities in developing hydrogen-powered aviation.
With over two decades of experience at Airbus and a background in industrial gases, Guenan brings unique insights into this transformative initiative.
Here are the key highlights of the conversation:
Challenges of the 2035 timeline and key milestones (5:33)
Understanding cryogenic hydrogen storage (9:34)
Airport infrastructure and ecosystem development (13:48)
Partnerships with Gatwick, easyJet and Air Products (16:56)
Safety aspects of hydrogen aviation (38:20)
Public education and industry collaborations (41:47)
Keep reading for a detailed overview of the episode.
Why the ecosystem approach matters
While developing a hydrogen-powered aircraft is a formidable technical challenge, the broader ecosystem requirements make this initiative particularly complex. As Guenan explains,
"It's certainly [the] challenges on the technology side, but it's also quite an unprecedented challenge on the ecosystem side of things, because so far, even though we made fantastic brand new programs in Airbus, it's the first time that we are facing this new challenge of also creating the external conditions in the ecosystem."
The ecosystem approach encompasses everything from airport infrastructure and hydrogen supply chains to regulatory frameworks and operational procedures. Without this comprehensive framework, even the most advanced hydrogen aircraft would be grounded. This reality has pushed Airbus to build partnerships across industries and sectors, creating what Guenan calls "funding blocks" for success. The company has already deployed studies in 14 different countries, each addressing unique geographical, infrastructural, and regulatory challenges.
5 key pillars of the hydrogen ecosystem
1. Enabling technical innovation
At the heart of Airbus's hydrogen initiative lies significant technical innovation. The company is exploring two main 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. These different concepts could take the form of a turboprop aircraft, a turbofan, or even a blended wing design, though Guenan notes that the blended wing is unlikely to be the first platform to market.
One of the most significant challenges involves hydrogen storage. "For density consideration... we need it in its cryogenic form at minus 253 degrees Celsius," Guenan explains.
"Contrary to what we are doing today on the legacy program, where you have the jet fuel in the air for cryogenic hydrogen molecules, we will need to have dedicated insulated tanks in the aircraft."
This requirement represents a fundamental shift in aircraft design and operations, necessitating new approaches to fuel storage, handling, and safety systems. The company is working to ensure these innovations maintain or exceed current aviation safety standards while delivering on the promise of zero-emission flight.
2. Building global partnerships
Airbus has initiated partnerships worldwide to create what Guenan calls "hydrogen hubs" at airports. These collaborations include airports like Gatwick, energy suppliers such as Air Products, airlines including easyJet, and lessors like Avolon. Each partnership addresses different aspects of the ecosystem challenge.
"We want to consider the very specificities of those airports," Guenan notes. "They are not all the same, they don't have the same constraints in terms of master planning, and [they are] also [different] in terms of global environment and access to a hydrogen supply chain."
Some airports might benefit from proximity to existing gas infrastructure that could be repurposed for hydrogen transport, while others might require entirely new supply chains.
The involvement of aircraft lessors is particularly strategic. As Guenan explains, "Operating lessors are playing a pivotal role in our commercial aircraft market. They are very significant players when it comes to speculative orders, as well as sale and leaseback arrangements for airlines." This collaboration ensures that the future hydrogen-powered aircraft will be as attractive to lessors as current aircraft families.
3. Ensuring safety and public education
Addressing safety concerns and public education about hydrogen aviation is crucial for the programme's success. Guenan emphasises:
"Hydrogen is safe. Hydrogen is non-toxic. It's no more or no less dangerous than other fuels, including gasoline and natural gas."
She points out that hydrogen's properties actually offer some safety advantages: "In an event of leakage, hydrogen dissipates even more rapidly into the atmosphere because it's the lightest molecule on Earth."
Airbus is actively working on public education through various channels, including collaboration with the Airports Council International and participation in initiatives like the Alliance for Zero Emission Aviation (AZEA). These efforts aim to make the technology more understandable and accessible to the broader public, while also sharing learnings across the industry to accelerate adoption.
4. Timeline and implementation strategy
While 2035 might seem distant, Guenan emphasises the urgency of their timeline:
"2035 as an ambition for commercial entry into service could seem far away. But given the magnitude of the disruption of such a program, not only from the technology standpoint, but also from the ecosystem side of things, it's like tomorrow for us in preparing the ground for a successful entry into service."
The implementation strategy includes key decision points, particularly around 2027-2028, when Airbus plans to make final technology selections and programme decisions. This timeline allows for the necessary development, testing, and certification processes while ensuring the ecosystem elements are in place for commercial operations. The company is also working closely with regulators and industry bodies to establish the necessary frameworks for hydrogen aviation.
5. Long-term vision
Looking beyond 2050, Airbus sees hydrogen-powered aircraft as a crucial component of aviation's sustainable future. While the initial impact may be modest, the long-term potential is significant due to hydrogen's environmental credentials.
"We strongly believe at Airbus that hydrogen is very promising," Guenan states. "When it's being produced from renewable energy, it does not emit CO2 at all... And hydrogen has also the potential to reduce the non-CO2 emissions like NOx and persistent contrails."
The vision extends beyond just aircraft operations. Hydrogen's versatility means it can also serve as a feedstock for producing sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), creating what Guenan describes as a multi-pronged approach to aviation decarbonisation.
This comprehensive strategy demonstrates Airbus's commitment to not just developing new aircraft, but to fundamentally transforming the aviation industry for a sustainable future. As Guenan concludes, "We owe it to the future generations."
‘Sustainability in the Air’ is the world’s leading podcast dedicated to sustainable aviation. Through in-depth conversations with top aviation leaders, we break through the clutter and provide a clear roadmap for a net-zero future.
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