At the 2025 edition of its annual, sustainable aerospace-focused, Airbus Summit, the Europe-based global major aerospace and defence group reaffirmed its commitment to develop and market a commercially viable hydrogen-powered commercial airliner. Airbus’ programme to develop clean aviation is designated ZEROe.

The group also presented some of the technologies that would allow the introduction of a hydrogen fuel cell-powered fully-electrical airliner. The decision to focus on the combination of hydrogen fuel cells and electric motors was the outcome of years of research into hydrogen aviation, stated the company.

“Hydrogen is at the heart of our commitment to decarbonise aviation,” highlighted Airbus Future Programmes head Bruno Fichefeux. “While we’ve adjusted our [ZEROe] roadmap, our dedication to hydrogen-powered flight is unwavering. Just as we saw in the automotive sector, fully electric aircraft powered by hydrogen fuel cells have the potential in the longer term to revolutionise air transport for the better, complementing the sustainable aviation fuel pathway.”

The group showed its latest “notional concept” ZEROe aircraft design. It was powered by four 2-MW electric motors (each driving an eight-bladed propellor), each powered by a fuel cell that converted hydrogen and oxygen into electricity. The four fuel cells would be supplied with liquid hydrogen from two liquid hydrogen tanks. The group would continue to refine this concept in the coming years.

“Over the last five years, we have explored multiple hydrogen-propulsion concepts, before down-selecting this fully electric concept,” explained Airbus ZEROe project head Glenn Llewellyn. “We are confident it could provide the necessary power density for a hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft and could evolve as we mature the technology. In the coming years, we will concentrate on advancing the storage, distribution and propulsion systems, while also advocating for the regulatory framework needed to ensure these aircraft can take flight.”

Airbus demonstrated a 1.2-MW hydrogen propulsion system in 2023. In 2024 it successfully completed end-to-end testing of a complete integrated system – fuel cell stack, inverters, heat exchangers, electric motors, and gearboxes. Airbus is working with Air Liquide Advanced Technologies to address the challenges involved in handling and distributing liquid hydrogen in flight: integrated ground testing is planned for 2027.