Aerospace manufacturer Airbus has announced plans for what it describes as the first commercial zero-emission hydrogen-fuelled passenger aircraft, which could be in service by 2035.
The company’s three ZEROe concept designs were described by Airbus chief executive Guillaume Faury as marking ‘a historic moment’ for commercial aviation.
Using hydrogen had ‘the potential to significantly reduce aviation’s climate impact’, a BBC report quoted him as saying.
Unveiling its latest blueprints, Airbus said its turbofan design could carry up to 200 passengers more than 2 000 miles, while a turboprop concept would have a 50% lower capacity and range. A third, ‘blended-wing body’ aircraft was the most eye-catching of the three designs.
All three planes would be powered by gas-turbine engines modified to burn liquid hydrogen, and through hydrogen fuel cells to create electrical power.
The designs are reportedly the fruit of a joint research project Airbus launched with EasyJet last year to consider hybrid and electric aircraft.
The report said Airbus admitted that for the idea to work, airports would have to invest large sums of money in refuelling infrastructure.
[Picture: https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2020/09/airbus-reveals-new-zeroemission-concept-aircraft.html]