MAIDEN VOYAGE IN THE AIR
ZEROe Airbus presents a new approach for zeroemissions aircraft.
In a bid to reduce its impact on the environment,
power source – an option that Airbus believes holds
Airbus has revealed three concepts for the world’s first
promise as a clean aviation fuel and is likely to be a
zero-emission commercial aircraft, which could enter
solution for aerospace and many other industries to
service by 2035. Code-named ZEROe, the concepts
meet their climate-neutral targets. “This is a historic
each represent a different approach to achieving
moment for the commercial aviation sector as a whole
zero-emission flight, exploring various technology
and we intend to play a leading role in the most
pathways and aerodynamic configurations to support
important transition this industry has ever seen. These
the company’s ambition of leading the way in the
concepts offer the world a glimpse of our ambition
decarbonisation of the entire aviation industry.
to drive a bold vision for the future of zero-emission
The turbofan design, for 120-200 passengers, has
flight,” comments Guillaume Faury, CEO of Airbus.
a range of 2,000+ nautical miles and is powered by
“I strongly believe that the use of hydrogen – both
a modified gas-turbine engine running on hydrogen
in synthetic fuels and as a primary power source for
rather than jet fuel, while the smaller turboprop version
commercial aircraft – has the potential to significantly
for up to 100 passengers is capable of travelling 1,000
reduce aviation’s climate impact.”
nautical miles, making it suitable for short-haul travel.
While Airbus is committed to zero-emissions flight,
The blended-wing design (pictured) sees the wings
it notes that meeting such targets will also require
merge with the main body of the aircraft, with the wide
increased funding for research and technology, as well
fuselage able to carry up to 200 passengers and opening
as refuelling infrastructure to meet the needs of day-
up new possibilities for cabin layout.
to-day operations.
All three concepts rely on hydrogen as a primary
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