Green sky thinking: the rise of hydrogen flight

In the ongoing push for cleaner, low carbon passenger aircraft, engineers have - in recent years - explored a wide variety of technology pathways: from the refinement of existing turbine technology, to the development of new sustainable fuels, and even the application of hybrid-electric battery systems.

But last year - as a sector laid low by the ravages of COVID-19 contemplated its future - the balance of power swung firmly in favour of an energy carrier that’s viewed as an increasingly important component of our future energy mix: hydrogen.

Whilst interest in hydrogen has been growing for some time, the most striking sign of its ascendance came in September 2020, when Airbus - the world’s largest aircraft manufacturer - announced that hydrogen fuelled propulsion systems would be at the heart of an ambitious plan to introduce a new zero-emissions commercial aircraft by 2035.

In a headline grabbing statement of intent, the aerospace giant unveiled concepts for three hydrogen-combustion powered airliners that offer a glimpse of what this future might look like.