UNITED KINGDOM UNVEILS HYDROGEN-POWERED JET WITH NO EMISSION A UK-backed research group has unveiled a liquid hydrogen-powered airliner that theoretically would be capable of matching the performance of current midsize aircraft without producing carbon emissions. The FlyZero concept sees a plane carrying 279 passenger’s non-stop from London to San Francisco at the same speed and comfort as today. Hydrogen propulsion is one of the most promising technologies for achieving carbonneutral commercial aviation, but it is expensive, and will take years to develop the planes and to build the infrastructure required like airport refuelling capacity. The UK, which hosted the COP26 climate summit last month, is funding new technologies to help create aerospace jobs while meeting its climate targets.
Hydrogen aircraft expect to be operating from the mid-2030s offering better economics than conventional planes. By early next year, the FlyZero project will publish detailed concepts for regional, narrow-body and midsize aircraft, with technology roadmaps, market and economic reports and a sustainability assessment. In the meantime, the aviation industry is focusing on ‘sustainable fuel’; a blend of kerosene that powers current aircraft, and battery powered flight, which is limited to smaller craft like air taxis because of battery weight restrictions. The aviation industry is under pressure to rapidly cut missions even with new technologies being years away.
